2006 Proxy Statement
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH
2006
METHANEX CORPORATION
(Registrants name)
SUITE 1800, 200 BURRARD STREET, VANCOUVER, BC V6C 3M1 CANADA
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form
20-F or Form 40-F.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2(b): 82 .
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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METHANEX CORPORATION
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Date: March 27, 2006 |
By: |
/s/ RANDY MILNER
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Name: |
Randy Milner |
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Title: |
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
& Corporate Secretary |
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS
Notice of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
and
Information Circular
March 3, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Methanex Corporation |
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1800 Waterfront Centre
200 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6C 3M1 |
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Telephone: (604) 661-2600
Facsimile: (604) 661-2676 |
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March 3, 2006
Invitation to Shareholders
On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of Methanex
Corporation, we would like to invite you to join us at our
Annual General Meeting of shareholders. The meeting will be held
at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre in
Vancouver, British Columbia on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at
10:30 a.m.
At the meeting, we will be voting on a number of important
matters. We hope you will take the time to consider the
information dealing with these matters as set out in the
accompanying Information Circular. We encourage you to exercise
your vote, either at the meeting or by completing and sending in
your proxy. Use of the proxy form is explained in the
accompanying Information Circular. If you are a
non-registered shareholder, you may similarly
exercise your vote either at the meeting or by providing a proxy
or voting instructions by following the instructions set out in
the accompanying Information Circular or that you should
otherwise receive as part of the accompanying materials to
ensure that your shares get voted at the meeting in accordance
with your wishes.
The meeting will provide you with a forum to learn more about
our 2005 performance and hear first-hand our strategy for the
future. It will also provide you with an excellent opportunity
to meet the Companys Directors and Senior Management and
ask them your questions.
We hope that you will attend the Annual General Meeting and we
look forward to seeing you there. If you are unable to attend,
the meeting will also be webcast live through our website:
www.methanex.com.
Sincerely,
Bruce Aitken
President and Chief Executive Officer
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METHANEX CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Annual General Meeting (Meeting) of shareholders
of Methanex Corporation (the Company) will be held
at the following time and place:
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DATE: |
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Tuesday, May 9, 2006 |
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TIME: |
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10:30 a.m. (Vancouver time) |
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PLACE: |
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Meeting Rooms 1, 2 & 3
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre
999 Canada Place
Vancouver, British Columbia |
The Meeting is being held for the following purposes:
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1. |
To receive the Consolidated Financial Statements for the
financial year ended December 31, 2005 and the
Auditors Report on such statements; |
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2. |
To elect directors; |
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3. |
To re-appoint auditors; |
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4. |
To authorize the Board of Directors to fix the remuneration of
the auditors; |
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5. |
To consider and, if thought fit, pass an ordinary resolution to
ratify and approve certain amendments to the Companys
Incentive Stock Option Plan, the full text of which resolution
is set out in Schedule A to the Information Circular
accompanying this notice; and |
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6. |
To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Meeting. |
If you are a holder of Common Shares of the Company and do
not expect to attend the Meeting in person, please complete the
enclosed proxy form and either fax it to
(416) 368-2502 or
forward it to CIBC Mellon Trust Company using the envelope
provided with these materials. Proxies must be received no later
than 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
before the time fixed for commencement of the Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British
Columbia, this 3rd day of March, 2006.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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(signed) RANDY MILNER |
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Senior Vice President, General Counsel and |
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Corporate Secretary |
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METHANEX CORPORATION
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
Information contained in this Information Circular is given as
at March 3, 2006 unless otherwise stated.
PART I VOTING
Solicitation of Proxies
This Information Circular is furnished in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of the management and
Board of Directors (the Board) of Methanex
Corporation (the Company) for use at the annual
general meeting (the Meeting) of shareholders of the
Company to be held at the time and place (including any
adjournment thereof) and for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders.
It is anticipated that this Information Circular and the
accompanying proxy form will be mailed on or about
March 27, 2006 to holders of common shares of the Company
(Common Shares).
What will be voted on at the Meeting?
Shareholders will be voting on those matters which are described
in the accompanying Notice of Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders. The Notice includes all the matters to be
presented at the Meeting that are presently known to
management. A simple majority (that is, greater than 50%) of
the votes cast, in person or by proxy, will constitute approval
of these matters, other than the election of directors and the
appointment of auditors.
Who is entitled to vote?
Only registered holders of Common Shares (Registered
Shareholders) on March 13, 2006 (the Record
Date) are entitled to vote at the Meeting or at any
adjournment thereof. Each Registered Shareholder has one vote
for each Common Share held at the close of business on
March 13, 2006. As of March 3, 2006, there were
111,893,753 Common Shares outstanding. As of that date, to
the knowledge of the directors and senior officers of the
Company, the only person who beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, or exercised control or direction over Common Shares
carrying more than 10% of the voting rights of the Company was
Capital Group International, Inc., which, based on information
filed by them, beneficially owned and exercised control or
direction over, 17,492,400 Common Shares, representing
approximately 16% of the voting rights attached to the
Companys voting securities.
Can I vote Common Shares which I acquired after
March 13, 2006?
No. The Canada Business Corporations Act
(CBCA) states that only a shareholder whose name is
on the list of shareholders as at the Record Date is entitled to
vote at the Meeting.
How to vote
If you are a Registered Shareholder, there are two ways in which
you can vote your shares. You can either vote in person at the
Meeting or you can vote by proxy.
Voting
by Proxy
If you do not plan to come to the Meeting, you can have your
vote counted by appointing someone who will attend at the
Meeting as your proxyholder. In the proxy, you can either direct
your proxyholder how you want your shares to be voted or let
your proxyholder choose for you. You can always revoke your
proxy if you decide to attend the Meeting and wish to vote your
shares in person (see Revoking a Proxy on
page 3).
Voting
in Person
Registered Shareholders who will attend the Meeting and wish to
vote their shares in person should not complete a proxy form.
Your vote will be taken and counted at the Meeting. Please
register with the transfer agent, CIBC Mellon Trust Company,
upon your arrival at the Meeting.
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What if I am not a Registered Shareholder?
Many shareholders are in fact non-registered
shareholders. Non-registered shareholders are those whose
shares are registered in the name of an intermediary (such as a
bank, trust company, securities broker, trustee, or custodian).
Unless you have previously informed your intermediary that you
do not wish to receive material relating to the Meeting, you
should receive or have already received from the Company a
request for voting instruction form or from your intermediary
either a request for voting instructions or a proxy form. In
either case you have the right to exercise voting rights
attached to the Common Shares beneficially owned by you,
including the right to attend and vote the shares directly at
the Meeting.
The documents that you receive and who you receive them from
will vary depending upon whether you are a non-objecting
beneficial owner, or NOBO, which means you
have provided instructions to your intermediary that you do not
object to the intermediary disclosing beneficial ownership
information about you to the Company for certain purposes, or an
objecting beneficial owner, or OBO,
which means that you have provided instructions to your
intermediary that you object to the intermediary disclosing such
beneficial ownership information.
If you are a NOBO, included with these materials is a request
for voting instructions and proxy from the Company or its agent.
These securityholder materials are being sent to both registered
and non-registered owners of the securities. If you are a
non-registered owner, and the Company or its agent has sent
these materials directly to you, your name and address and
information about your holdings of securities have been obtained
in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements
from the intermediary holding Common Shares on your behalf. By
choosing to send these materials to you directly, the Company
has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these
materials to you, and (ii) executing your proper voting
instructions. Please return your proxy as specified in the
request for voting instructions and proxy.
If you are a NOBO, you can either vote in person at the Meeting
or you can vote by proxy. If you do not intend to attend the
Meeting but you wish your shares to be voted, please complete
and return the proxy which you should have received. You can
choose anyone you want to be your proxyholder. It does not have
to be another shareholder. Just fill in the persons name
in the blank space provided on the enclosed proxy form within
the time hereinafter specified for receipt of proxies. If
you leave the space on the proxy form blank, either Pierre
Choquette or Bruce Aitken, both of whom are named in the form,
are appointed to act as your proxyholder. Mr. Choquette is
the Chairman of the Board and Mr. Aitken is President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. If
Messrs. Choquette and Aitken are appointed as your
proxyholder, please provide your specific voting
instructions. Otherwise your shares will not be voted.
If you are an OBO, you should receive or have already received
from your intermediary either a request for voting instructions
or a proxy form. Intermediaries have their own mailing
procedures and provide their own instructions. These procedures
may allow providing voting instructions by telephone, on the
Internet, by mail or by fax. If you wish to vote in person at
the Meeting you should follow the procedure in the directions
and instructions provided by or on behalf of your intermediary
and insert your name in the space provided on the request for
voting instructions or proxy form or request a form of legal
proxy which will grant you the right to attend the Meeting and
vote in person.
Whether you are a NOBO or an OBO, if you wish to attend the
Meeting and vote in person, do not otherwise complete any voting
form you may receive. Please register with the transfer agent,
CIBC Mellon Trust Company, upon your arrival at the Meeting.
What is a Proxy?
A proxy is a document that authorizes someone else to attend the
Meeting and cast the votes for you. Registered Shareholders are
being sent a form of proxy for the Meeting permitting them to
appoint a person to attend and act as proxyholder at the
Meeting. In addition, as described above, NOBOs are being sent a
form of request for voting instructions and proxy permitting
them to appoint a person to attend and act as proxyholder at the
Meeting. In either case, Registered Shareholders or NOBOs, as
applicable, may use such forms, or any other valid proxy form,
to appoint a proxyholder. The enclosed form of proxy authorizes
the proxyholder to vote and otherwise act for you at the Meeting
including any continuation after adjournment of the Meeting.
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If you complete the enclosed form of proxy by marking the
appropriate boxes on the proxy form, your shares will be voted
as instructed. If you do not mark any boxes, except as described
above in the case of NOBOs, your proxyholder can vote your
shares in their discretion.
Appointing a Proxyholder
Your proxyholder is the person you appoint and name on the proxy
form to cast your votes for you. You can choose anyone you
want to be your proxyholder. It does not have to be another
shareholder. Just fill in the persons name in the blank
space provided on the enclosed proxy form or complete any other
valid proxy form and deliver it to CIBC Mellon
Trust Company within the time hereinafter specified for
receipt of proxies.
If you leave the space on the proxy form blank, either Pierre
Choquette or Bruce Aitken, both of whom are named in the form,
are appointed to act as your proxyholder. Mr. Choquette is
the Chairman of the Board and Mr. Aitken is President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
For the proxy to be valid, it must be completed, dated and
signed by the holder of Common Shares or the holders
attorney authorized in writing and then delivered to the
Companys transfer agent, CIBC Mellon Trust Company,
in the envelope provided or by fax to
(416) 368-2502 and
received no later than 24 hours prior to the Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
How will my shares be voted if I give my Proxy?
If you have properly filled out, signed and delivered your
proxy, then your proxyholder can vote your shares for you at the
Meeting. If you have specified on the proxy form how you want to
vote on a particular issue (by marking FOR, AGAINST, or
WITHHOLD), then your proxyholder must vote your shares
accordingly.
If you have not specified how to vote on a particular issue,
except as described above in the case of NOBOs, then your
proxyholder can vote your shares as they see fit. However, if
you are a Registered Shareholder and have not specified how to
vote on a particular issue and Mr. Choquette or
Mr. Aitken have been appointed as proxyholder, your shares
will be voted in favour of the particular issue. For more
information on these issues, see Part II BUSINESS OF
THE MEETING. The enclosed form of proxy confers
discretionary authority upon the proxyholder you name with
respect to amendments or variations to the matters identified in
the accompanying Notice of Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders and other matters which may properly come before
the Meeting. If any such amendments or variations are proposed
to the matters described in the Notice, or if any other matters
properly come before the Meeting except as described above in
the case of NOBOs, your proxyholder may vote your shares as they
consider best.
Revoking a Proxy
If you want to revoke your proxy after you have delivered it,
you can do so at any time before it is used. You or your
authorized attorney may revoke a proxy by (i) clearly
stating in writing that you want to revoke your proxy and
delivering this revocation by mail to Proxy Department, CIBC
Mellon Trust Company, #6 200 Queens Quay East,
Toronto, ON, Canada, M5A 4K9 or by fax to
(416) 368-2502, or
to the registered office of the Company, Suite 1800, 200
Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3M1, Attention: Corporate
Secretary, at any time up to and including the last business day
preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof or
(ii) in any other manner permitted by law. Revocations may
also be delivered to the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of
the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Such revocation will
have effect only in respect of those matters upon which a vote
has not already been cast pursuant to the authority confirmed by
the proxy. If you revoke your proxy and do not replace it with
another in the manner provided in Appointing a
Proxyholder above, you will be able to vote your shares in
person at the Meeting.
Only Registered Shareholders and NOBOs have the right to revoke
a proxy. OBOs who wish to change their voting instructions must,
in sufficient time in advance of the Meeting, arrange for their
intermediaries to change their vote and if necessary revoke
their proxy.
Costs of this Solicitation of Proxies
The cost of this solicitation of proxies is borne by the
Company. It is expected that the solicitation will be primarily
by mail, but proxies or votes or voting instructions may also be
solicited personally or by telephone or other means of
communication by directors and regular employees of the Company
without special compensation. In addition, the Company may
retain the services of agents to solicit proxies or votes or
voting instructions on behalf of
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management of the Company. In that event, the Company will
compensate any such agents for such services, including
reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and will
indemnify them in respect of certain liabilities which may be
incurred by them in performing their services. The Company may
also reimburse brokers or other persons holding Common Shares in
their names, or in the names of nominees, for their reasonable
expenses in sending proxies and proxy material to beneficial
owners and obtaining their proxies or votes or voting
instructions.
Who counts the votes?
The Companys transfer agent, CIBC Mellon Trust Company,
counts and tabulates the proxies. This is done independently of
the Company to preserve confidentiality in the voting process.
Proxies are referred to the Company only in cases where a
shareholder clearly intends to communicate with management or
when it is necessary to do so to meet the requirements of
applicable law.
How do I contact the transfer agent?
If you have any inquiries, the transfer agent, CIBC Mellon Trust
Company, can be contacted as follows:
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Toll-free:
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1-800-387-0825 |
Mail:
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CIBC Mellon Trust Company
Suite 1600, 1066 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 3X1 |
Telephone:
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(604) 891-3008 |
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Fax:
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(604) 688-4301 |
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PART II BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2005 are included in the Annual Report, which
has been mailed to Registered Shareholders as required under the
CBCA and to non-registered shareholders that have requested such
financial statements with the Notice of the Annual General
Meeting of Shareholders and this Information Circular.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The directors of the Company are elected each year at the annual
general meeting of the Company and hold office until the close
of the next annual general meeting or until their successors are
elected or appointed. The articles of the Company provide that
the Company have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of
15 directors. The
by-laws of the Company
provide that when the articles of the Company provide for a
minimum and maximum number of directors, the number of directors
within the range may be determined from time to time by
resolution of the Board of Directors. The directors have
determined that there should be 11 directors.
The Corporate Governance Committee recommends to the Board
nominees for election of directors. The persons listed below are
being proposed for nomination for election at the Meeting. The
persons named in the accompanying proxy, if not expressly
directed otherwise in such proxy, will vote the Common Shares in
respect of which they have been appointed proxyholder in favour
of the election of those persons listed below as nominees as
directors.
The following table sets out the names, ages and places of
residence of all the persons to be nominated for election as
directors and other relevant information including the number of
Common
Shares(1),
Deferred Share
Units(2),
Restricted Share
Units(3),
and Stock
Options(4)
held by each of them as at the date of this Information
Circular. In the case of Mr. Aitken, the table also sets
out the number of Performance Share Units
(5)
he holds. The table also sets out whether a director is
independent or non-independent. See page 17 for more
information on how director independence is determined.
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BRUCE AITKEN
Director since July 2004
Number of Common Shares held 58,652
Number of Deferred Share Units held 45,271
Number of Restricted Share Units held 188,710
Number of Performance Share Units held 81,000
Number of Stock Options held 492,000
Mr. Bruce Aitken, 51, of Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. Prior to his appointment in May 2004, Mr. Aitken
was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from
September 2003 and prior to that he was Senior Vice President,
Asia Pacific (based in New Zealand) from September 1999. He has
also held the position of Vice President, Corporate Development
(located in Vancouver). He has been an employee of the Company
and its predecessor methanol companies for about fifteen
years.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Aitken was Executive
Director of Cape Horn Methanol (now Methanex Chile) in Santiago.
He also held a number of managerial positions with Fletcher
Challenge Limited in New Zealand.
Mr. Aitken has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Auckland
University and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of
Chartered Accountants, ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant).
Mr. Aitken is a non-independent director. He is not a
member of any Committee, but attends committee meetings in his
capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. |
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HOWARD BALLOCH
Director since December 2004
Number of Common Shares held 0
Number of Deferred Share Units held 0
Number of Restricted Share Units held 8095
Number of Stock Options held 0
Mr. Howard Balloch, 54, of Beijing, China is currently
President of The Balloch Group. Based in Beijing, The Balloch
Group is a private investment advisory and merchant banking firm
specializing in China and other Asian markets. Prior to this,
from 1996 to 2001, Mr. Balloch was the Canadian Ambassador
to the Peoples Republic of China.
Mr. Balloch currently serves on the boards of Ivanhoe Mines
Ltd, Magic Lantern Group, Inc, Tiens Bio-Tec USA Ltd, Zi
Corporation, where he is also a member of their Corporate
Governance Committee, and Ivanhoe Energy Inc., where he sits on
their Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee and Compensation Committee. He is also President of
the Canada China Business Council.
Mr. Balloch holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political
Science and Economics and a Masters in International Relations,
both from McGill University.
Mr. Balloch, an independent director, is a member of the
Companys Corporate Governance Committee, Human Resources
Committee and the Public Policy Committee. |
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PIERRE CHOQUETTE
Director since October 1994
Number of Common Shares held 0
Number of Deferred Share Units held 10,121
Number of Restricted Share Units held 154,575
Number of Stock Options held 0
Mr. Pierre Choquette, 63, of Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada is a corporate director and is currently Chairman of the
Board of the Company. Mr. Choquette was Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from September
2003 to May 2004 and President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company from October 1994 to September 2003. He was a
Company employee for 9 years.
Mr. Choquette also serves on the Board of Governors of the
University of British Columbia.
Mr. Choquette holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
and a Masters in Science in Chemical Engineering from Laval
University. He is also a graduate of the Graduate Advanced
Management Program at Harvard Graduate School of Business
Administration.
Mr. Choquette is a non-independent director. He is not a
member of any Committee, but attends committee meetings on an
ex-officio basis in his capacity as Chairman of the Board. |
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PHILLIP H. COOK
Number of Common Shares held 0
Number of Deferred Share Units held 0
Number of Restricted Share Units held 0
Number of Stock Options held 0
Mr. Phillip H. Cook, 59, of Midland, Michigan, United
States has held the position of Corporate Vice President,
Strategic Development and New Ventures of The Dow Chemical
Company (Dow Chemical) since 2005. Dow Chemical
provides chemical, plastic and agricultural products and
services. Mr. Cook previously held positions with Dow
Chemical of Senior Vice President, Performance Chemicals and
Thermosets from 2003 and prior to that Business Vice President,
Epoxy Products and Intermediates from 2000. He will be retiring
from Dow Chemical on October 1, 2006.
Mr. Cook is a director on the board of Univation
Technologies, a joint venture between Dow Chemical and
ExxonMobil. He also serves on the boards of Dow Agrosciences and
The National Paint and Coatings Association. He is also a member
of the College of Engineering Foundation and Chemical
Engineering Department advisory boards of the University of
Texas, Austin.
Mr. Cook holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from
the University of Texas, Austin.
If elected, Mr. Cook would be considered an independent
director. |
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ROBERT FINDLAY
Director since July 1994
Number of Common Shares held 10,000
Number of Deferred Share Units held 73,665
Number of Restricted Share Units held 0
Number of Stock Options held 0
Mr. Robert Findlay, 72, of West Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada is a corporate director and also serves on the
board of Option NFA Inc. where he sits on their Audit Committee
and Compensation Committee. In October 1997 Mr. Findlay
retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of MacMillen
Bloedel Limited after holding that position for seven years.
Mr. Findlay holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical
Engineering) from McGill University and is also a graduate of
the Graduate Advanced Management Program at Harvard Graduate
School of Business Administration.
Mr. Findlay, an independent director, is Chair of the
Companys Human Resources Committee and is a member of the
Corporate Governance Committee and the Responsible Care
Committee. He has also been appointed the Lead Independent
Director. |
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DOUGLAS MAHAFFY
Number of Common Shares held 0
Number of Deferred Share Units held 0
Number of Restricted Share Units held 0
Number of Stock Options held 0
Mr. Douglas Mahaffy, 60, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada has
held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of
McLean Budden Limited (McLean Budden) since October
1989. McLean Budden is a money manager looking after
$40 billion in assets for pension, foundation and private
clients in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. Prior to
his current position Mr. Mahaffy was Managing Director,
Head of Investment Banking for Ontario for Merrill Lynch Capital
Markets from 1987.
Mr. Mahaffy is Chairman of the Board of McLean Budden. He
also serves on the Board of Stelco Incorporated where he is a
member of both the Human Resources Committee and the Corporate
Governance Committee.
Mr. Mahaffy holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of
Business Administration, both from York University.
If elected, Mr. Mahaffy would be considered an independent
director. |
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A. TERENCE (TERRY) POOLE
Director since February 1994*
Number of Common Shares held 30,000
Number of Deferred Share Units held 14,365
Number of Restricted Share Units held 0
Number of Stock Options held 0
Mr. Terry Poole, 63, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada has held
the position of Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and
Development of NOVA Chemicals Corporation (NOVA), a
commodity chemical company, since May 2000. Prior to his current
position Mr. Poole held the position of Executive Vice
President, Finance and Strategy of NOVA from 1998 to 2000 and
the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of NOVA Corporation from 1994 to 1998.
Mr. Poole also serves on the board of the Pengrowth
Corporation.
Mr. Poole is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of
Commerce from Dalhousie University. He is a Member of the
Canadian, Quebec and Ontario Institutes of Chartered Accountants
and is also a Member of the Financial Executives Institute.
Mr. Poole, an independent director, is a member of the
Companys Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and has been
designated as the audit committee financial expert.
He also is a member of the Public Policy Committee.
*Mr. Poole resigned as a director of the Company in June
2003 and was re-appointed in September 2003. |
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JOHN REID
Director since September 2003
Number of Common Shares held 10,000
Number of Deferred Share Units held 10,929
Number of Restricted Share Units held 8095
Number of Stock Options held 0
Mr. John Reid, 58, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
is a Corporate Director. Mr. Reid previously held the
position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Terasen
Inc., an energy distribution and transportation company from
November 1997 to November 30, 2005 and prior to that
position was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Terasen Inc. for two years.
Mr. Reid also serves on the Board of Governors of the
University of British Columbia.
Mr. Reid has an Economics Degree from the University of
Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom and is a Fellow of the
British Columbia, England and Wales Institutes of Chartered
Accountants.
Mr. Reid, an independent director, is the Chair of the
Companys Corporate Governance Committee and is a member of
the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee. |
|
|
|
JANICE RENNIE
Number of Common Shares held 2,000
Number of Deferred Share Units held 0
Number of Restricted Share Units held 0
Number of Stock Options held 0
Ms. Janice Rennie, 48, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is a
Corporate Director. From 2004 to 2005, Ms. Rennie was
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Organizational
Effectiveness for EPCOR Utilities Inc. Prior to 2004,
Ms. Rennie was Principal of Rennie & Associates
which provided investment and related advice to small and
mid-sized companies.
Ms. Rennie also serves on the boards of Canadian Hotel
Income Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, Greystone
Capital Management Inc., Matrikon Inc., NOVA Chemicals
Corporation and West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd..
Ms. Rennie holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University
of Alberta and is a member of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Alberta.
If elected, Ms. Rennie would be considered an independent
director. |
9
|
|
|
|
|
MONICA SLOAN
Director since September 2003
Number of Common Shares held 3,000
Number of Deferred Share Units held 14,143
Number of Restricted Share Units held 6,267
Number of Stock Options held 0
Ms. Monica Sloan, 51, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada has been
Chief Executive Officer of Intervera Ltd. since January 2004.
Intervera Ltd. provides data quality products and services to
the energy industry. Prior to this position Ms. Sloan was
an Independent Consultant for ME Sloan Associates from October
1999.
Ms. Sloan also serves on the board of Industrial Alliance
Pacific Financial Services and is Past Chair of the Calgary
Opera Association.
Ms. Sloan holds a Masters of Engineering from Stanford
University and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard
Graduate School of Business Administration.
Ms. Sloan, an independent director, is a member of the
Companys Human Resources Committee and the Responsible
Care Committee. |
|
|
|
GRAHAM SWEENEY
Director since July 1994
Number of Common Shares held 0
Number of Deferred Share Units held 51,503
Number of Restricted Share Units held 0
Number of Stock Options held 0
Mr. Graham Sweeney, 70, of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada is a
corporate director. Mr. Sweeney was President and Chief
Executive Officer of The Dow Chemical Canada Inc. from 1993 to
1995. Prior to this Mr. Sweeney held Vice President and
senior executive positions with The Dow Chemical Company in Asia
from 1981 to 1987 and with global responsibilities from 1988
to 1992.
Mr. Sweeney holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemical
Engineering) from the University of Natal, South Africa.
Mr. Sweeney, an independent director, is Chair of the
Companys Responsible Care Committee and is a member of the
Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and the Public Policy
Committee. |
|
|
(1) |
The number of Common Shares held includes Common Shares directly
or indirectly beneficially owned or under the control or
direction of such nominee. |
|
(2) |
For more information on Deferred Share Units, see
Directors Compensation on page 22 and
Deferred Share Unit Plan on page 30. |
|
(3) |
For more information on Restricted Share Units, see
Directors Compensation on page 22 and
Restricted Share Unit Plan on page 30. |
|
(4) |
Non-management directors ceased being granted stock options
in 2003. |
|
(5) |
For more information on Performance Share Units, see
Performance Share Unit Plan on page 30.
Non-management directors do not participate in this plan. |
10
Summary of Board and Committee Meetings held
For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
Board of Directors
|
|
|
10 |
|
Audit, Finance and Risk Committee
|
|
|
7 |
|
Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
|
3 |
|
Human Resources Committee
|
|
|
2 |
|
Public Policy Committee
|
|
|
2 |
|
Responsible Care Committee
|
|
|
2 |
|
Summary of Attendance of Directors
For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board meetings | |
|
% | |
|
Committee | |
|
% | |
Director |
|
attended | |
|
attended | |
|
meetings attended | |
|
attended | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Bruce
Aitken(1)
|
|
|
10 of 10 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Howard Balloch
|
|
|
8 of 10 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
3 of 3 (CG) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 of 1 (HR) |
(2) |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 (PP) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
Pierre
Choquette(3)
|
|
|
10 of 10 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Findlay
|
|
|
9 of 10 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
3 of 3 (CG) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 (HR) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 (RC) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
Brian
Gregson(4)
|
|
|
10 of 10 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
7 of 7 (Audit) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 (RC) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
A. Terence Poole
|
|
|
10 of 10 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
7 of 7 (Audit) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 (PP) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
John Reid
|
|
|
8 of 10 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
6 of 7 (Audit) |
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 3 (CG) |
|
|
|
67 |
|
Monica Sloan
|
|
|
10 of 10 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
2 of 2 (HR) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 (RC) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
Graham Sweeney
|
|
|
10 of 10 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
7 of 7 (Audit) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 (PP) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 (RC) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
Anne
Wexler(4)
|
|
|
9 of 10 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
2 of 2 (PP) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 2 (HR) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 of 3 (CG) |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
Committees:
|
|
|
Audit:
|
|
Audit, Finance and Risk Committee |
CG:
|
|
Corporate Governance Committee |
HR:
|
|
Human Resources Committee |
PP:
|
|
Public Policy Committee |
RC:
|
|
Responsible Care Committee |
|
|
(1) |
Mr. Aitken attended all Committee meetings in his capacity
as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. |
|
(2) |
The Human Resources Committee met in March and November 2005.
Mr. Balloch became a member of the Committee subsequent to
the March 2005 meeting. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Choquette attended all Committee meetings on an
ex-officio basis in his capacity as Chairman of the Board. |
|
(4) |
Mr. Gregson and Ms. Wexler will not be standing for
re-election. |
11
During 2005, overall director attendance rate at Board meetings
was 92% and for Committee members at Committee meetings
was 93%.
RE-APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS
The directors of the Company recommend the re-appointment of
KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, Vancouver, as the auditors of
the Company to hold office until the termination of the next
annual meeting of the Company. KPMG LLP has served as the
auditors of the Company for more than five years. As in past
years, it is proposed that the remuneration to be paid to the
auditors be determined by the directors of the Company.
The persons named in the accompanying proxy, if not expressly
directed to the contrary in such proxy, will vote the Common
Shares in respect of which they have been appointed proxyholder
for the re-appointment of KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, as
the auditors of the Company and to authorize the directors to
determine the remuneration to be paid to the auditors.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Pre-approval policies and procedures
The Companys Audit, Finance and Risk Committee (the
Audit Committee) annually reviews and approves the
terms and scope of the external auditors engagement. The
Audit Committee oversees the Audit and Non-Audit Pre-Approval
Policy which sets forth the procedures and the conditions
pursuant to which permissible services proposed to be performed
by KPMG LLP are pre-approved. The Audit Committee has delegated
to the Chair of the Audit Committee pre-approval authority for
any services not previously approved by the Audit Committee. All
such services approved by the Chair of the Audit Committee are
subsequently reviewed by the Audit Committee.
All non-audit service engagements, regardless of the cost
estimate, are required to be coordinated and approved by the
Chief Financial Officer to further ensure that adherence to this
policy is monitored.
Audit and Non-Audit Fees Paid to the Independent Auditors
Fees to KPMG LLP during the years ended December 31, 2005
and December 31, 2004 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
US$000s |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit Fees
|
|
|
526 |
|
|
|
346 |
|
Audit-Related Fees
|
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
Tax Fees
|
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
168 |
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
820 |
|
|
|
591 |
|
The nature of each category of fees is described below.
Audit fees were paid for professional services rendered by the
auditors for the audit of the Companys consolidated
financial statements; statutory audits of the financial
statements of the Companys subsidiaries; quarterly reviews
of the Companys financial statements; consultations as to
the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions reflected
in the financial statements; and services associated with
registration statements, prospectuses, periodic reports and
other documents filed with securities regulators.
Audit-related fees were paid for professional services rendered
by the auditors for financial audits of employee benefit plans;
procedures and audit or attest services not required by statute
or regulation; advice and documentation assistance with respect
to internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure
controls; and consultations as to the accounting or disclosure
treatment of other transactions.
12
Tax fees were paid for professional services rendered for tax
compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services
consisted of: tax compliance including the review of tax
returns; assistance in completing routine tax schedules and
calculations; and tax planning and advisory services relating to
common forms of domestic and international taxation.
Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee has approved the Audit and Non-Audit
Services Pre-Approval Policy (the Policy) which
requires the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit,
audit-related and non-audit services (such as those relating to
tax planning and advice) provided by the external auditors. The
Policy also specifies the services that the external auditors
are prohibited from undertaking including internal audit,
bookkeeping, financial information systems design and
implementation, and other services.
AMENDMENT OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company has an Incentive Stock Option Plan (the
Plan) under which options to purchase Common Shares
may be granted to key employees and directors of the Company and
its subsidiaries. Information regarding the Plan is set out on
pages 29 and 34 under Incentive Stock Option
Plan.
The maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued from and
after May 24, 2000 pursuant to options granted under the
Plan is 17,000,000. Since May 24, 2000 a total of
14,956,229 Common Shares have been issued pursuant to options
granted under the Plan, and a total of 1,918,214 Common Shares
may be issued pursuant to options granted under the Plan which
were outstanding prior to March 3, 2006 (the date on which
the Board of Directors approved amendments to the Plan, as
described below) or options granted under the Plan from and
after such date.
Without reflecting the options to purchase an additional
1,667,400 Common Shares granted on March 3, 2006 described
below, as at the date of this Circular, options to purchase an
aggregate of 1,558,289 Common Shares were outstanding and
unexercised under the Plan. This represents approximately 1.4%
of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a
non-diluted basis.
Unless shareholders of the Company approve amendments to
increase the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued
under the Plan, assuming that all options presently outstanding
will be exercised in full, only an additional 359,925 Common
Shares may be issued pursuant to options granted on or after
March 3, 2006, representing approximately 0.3% of the
issued and outstanding Common Shares on a
non-diluted basis.
Commencing in 2003, non-management directors ceased to be
granted options but instead have been awarded
non-dilutive Restricted
Share Units (RSUs) under the Companys
Restricted Share Unit Plan for Directors. The Company has no
current intention to change its policy of not granting options
to non-management directors. Also in 2003 the Company adopted a
Restricted Share Unit Plan pursuant to which executive officers
were entitled to elect to receive 50% or 100% of the value of
their Long-Term Incentive award in the form of RSUs or Deferred
Share Units (DSUs), and all executive officers
received 100% of their Long-Term Incentive awards either as RSUs
or DSUs in 2003 and 2004. Therefore, executive officers were not
granted stock options in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, the Long-Term
Incentive Plan was further modified so that in 2005, all
executive officers and other employees who participate in the
Companys Long-Term Incentive Plan, received 75% of the
value of their 2005 Long-Term Incentive award in the form of
RSUs and 25% in the form of stock options. These actions have
significantly reduced the amounts of stock options which the
Company has granted since 2003. In 2006 the Company adopted a
Performance Share Unit (PSU) Plan pursuant to which
all executive officers and other employees who participate in
the Companys Long-Term Incentive Plan received 50% of the
value of their 2006 Long-Term Incentive award in the form of
PSUs and 50% in the form of stock options.
The Board of Directors continues to believe that the ability to
grant options under the Plan as part of compensation should
remain available as a component in the Companys
compensation policy. Accordingly, the Board of Directors
believes that it is desirable to amend the Plan to specify a new
maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued pursuant to
options granted under the Plan. At a meeting held on
March 3, 2006 the Board of Directors approved amendments
(Stock Option Plan Amendments) to the Plan which
provide that the maximum number of shares issuable from and
after May 9, 2006 pursuant to options granted under the
Plan is 5,250,000.
The Stock Option Plan Amendments are reflected in an amended and
restated Incentive Stock Option Plan (the Incentive Stock
Option Plan 2006). A copy of the Incentive Stock Option
Plan 2006 is available for inspection at the
13
head office of the Company, 1800 Waterfront Centre, 200 Burrard
Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, during normal business
hours prior to the Meeting and will be tabled at the Meeting.
As at March 3, 2006 there were 111,893,753 Common Shares
outstanding. The maximum 5,250,000 Common Shares specified
pursuant to the Stock Option Plan Amendments would represent
approximately 4.7% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares
on a non-diluted basis.
The Company currently has in place a Normal Course Issuer Bid
under which the Company has the ability but not the obligation
to repurchase and cancel 11,790,217 Common Shares between
May 17, 2005 and May 16, 2006. If all such shares were
re-purchased, then on May 16, 2006, the 5,250,000 Common
Shares specified in the Stock Option Plan Amendments would
represent approximately 4.9% of the issued and outstanding
Common Shares on a
non-diluted basis. At a
meeting held on March 3, 2006 the Board of Directors
approved the grant of options to acquire up to a total of
1,667,400 Common Shares to 134 employees of the Company or
its subsidiaries pursuant to the Incentive Stock Option Plan
2006.
Although the maximum number of Common Shares specified pursuant
to the Stock Option Plan Amendments is a significant percentage
of the Companys currently outstanding number of Common
Shares, it is less than 5% of the total issued and outstanding
Common Shares on a
non-diluted basis. If
the Stock Option Plan Amendments are approved, of this 5,250,000
maximum number, 1,558,289 would be available to permit issuance
pursuant to options outstanding and unexercised prior to
March 3, 2006 and a further 1,667,400 would be available to
permit issuance pursuant to the options granted on March 3,
2006. This would leave a total of 2,024,311 available for the
issuance of Common Shares pursuant to options which may be
granted in the future.
The Board of Directors believes that this increased maximum
number is desirable in order to provide for future grants of
options under the Plan. Although the total number of options
granted to employees in any year will depend upon a number of
factors and is impossible to accurately estimate in advance, the
Board of Directors currently anticipates that the maximum number
of Common Shares specified pursuant to the Stock Option Plan
Amendments will permit future grants of options up to and
including 2007 without the Company having to seek further
approval from the shareholders.
Issuance of any Common Shares pursuant to options granted under
the Stock Option Plan Amendments is conditional upon the Stock
Option Plan Amendments being approved by all applicable
regulatory authorities, including the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX) and the Nasdaq National Market
(Nasdaq) (collectively, the Exchanges).
Under the requirements of the Exchanges, the Stock Option Plan
Amendments must be approved by the shareholders of the Company.
Consequently, at the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to
consider and, if deemed appropriate, pass an ordinary resolution
ratifying and approving the Stock Option Plan Amendments. The
text of the proposed resolution is set out in Schedule A.
This resolution must be passed by a simple majority of the votes
cast by shareholders entitled to vote in person or by proxy at
the Meeting. Under the TSXs requirements certain insiders
of the Company eligible to receive a benefit under the Plan are
not eligible to vote their shares in respect of the resolution.
The Company believes that such insiders hold an aggregate of
approximately 350,000 Common Shares. These shares will be
excluded in determining whether the resolution to approve the
Stock Option Plan Amendments receives the required approval.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
None of the directors or officers of the Company, no proposed
nominee for election as a director of the Company, none of the
persons who have been directors or officers of the Company at
any time since the beginning of the Companys last
completed financial year and no associate or affiliate of any of
the foregoing has any material interest, direct or indirect, in
any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the
election of directors and the approval of the Stock Option Plan
Amendments. The directors and officers of the Company are
eligible to be granted options in the future under the Incentive
Stock Option Plan. As a result, they may be considered to have
an interest in the approval of the Stock Option Plan Amendments.
In addition, officers of the Company were granted options on
March 3, 2006, the issuance of Common Shares under which is
conditional upon the Stock Option Plan Amendments being approved.
14
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
None of the directors or officers of the Company, no director
or officer of a body corporate that is itself an insider or a
subsidiary of the Company, no person or company who beneficially
owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Company
or who exercised control or direction over voting securities of
the Company or a combination of both carrying more than 10% of
the voting rights attached to any class of outstanding voting
securities of the Company entitled to vote in connection with
any matters being proposed for consideration at the Meeting, no
proposed director or nominee for election as a director of the
Company and no associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing
has or had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any
transaction or proposed transaction since the beginning of the
Companys last financial year which has materially affected
or would or could materially affect the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
15
PART III CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors
The Board has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Principles
to provide for a system of principled goal-setting, effective
decision-making and ethical actions. The Principles can be found
at Schedule B to this Circular.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board has established five standing Committees with written
mandates defining their responsibilities and a requirement to
report regularly to the Board. No member of a standing Committee
of the Board was, during 2005, or is currently, an officer or
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
|
|
|
Audit, Finance and Risk Committee |
Members: Messrs. Gregson (Chair), Poole, Reid and Sweeney.
Mr. Gregson is not standing for re-election as
a director.
The Companys Audit, Finance and Risk Committee is
appointed by the Board to assist the Board in fulfilling its
oversight responsibility relating to: the integrity of the
Corporations financial statements; the financial reporting
process; the systems of internal accounting and financial
controls; the professional qualifications and independence of
the external auditors; the performance of the external auditors;
risk management processes; financing plans; pension plans; and
compliance by the Corporation with ethics policies and legal and
regulatory requirements. Mr. Poole is the audit
committee financial expert. In 2005, this Committee met
seven times. The overall Committee member attendance rate at
these meetings was 97%.
The mandate of this Committee together with the relevant
education and experience of its members and other Committee
information may be found in the Audit Committee
Information section of the Companys Annual
Information Form dated March 22, 2006.
|
|
|
Corporate Governance Committee |
Members: Messrs. Balloch, Findlay, Reid (Chair) and
Ms. Wexler. Ms. Wexler is not standing for re-election
as a director.
This Committee is responsible for the composition, compensation
and governance of the Board and recommends to the Board nominees
for election or appointment as directors. The functions of this
Committee also include assessing and enhancing the performance
of the Board and maintaining an effective working relationship
between the Board and management of the Company. It is also
responsible for taking a leadership role in shaping the
corporate governance of the Company and developing and
recommending to the Board corporate governance principles for
the Company. In 2005, this Committee met three times. The
overall Committee member attendance rate at these meetings
was 86%.
|
|
|
Human Resources Committee |
Members: Messrs. Balloch, Findlay (Chair), Ms. Sloan
and Ms. Wexler. Ms. Wexler is not standing for
re-election as a director.
The Human Resources Committee is responsible for reviewing
recommendations for the appointment of persons to senior
executive positions, succession planning, considering terms of
employment including total compensation practices, reviewing the
Companys executive development programs, human resource
plans and policies, recommending awards under the Companys
short-term and long-term incentive plans and matters relating to
the administration of the Companys pension plans, other
than matters relating to the funding and investment of funds.
This Committee also recommends for the Boards approval the
objectives and performance of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company on an annual basis. In 2005, this Committee met twice.
The overall Committee member attendance rate at these meetings
was 89%.
Public
Policy Committee
|
|
|
Members: Messrs. Balloch, Poole, Sweeney and
Ms. Wexler (Chair). Ms. Wexler is not standing for
re-election as a director. It is proposed that Mr. Balloch
will chair this Committee after May 9th, 2006. |
The Public Policy Committee is responsible for reviewing and
making recommendations to the Board regarding public policy
matters that have a significant impact on the Company including
those relating to social investment
16
policy, government relations and public affairs. In 2005, this
Committee met twice. The overall Committee member attendance
rate at these meetings was 89%.
|
|
|
Responsible Care Committee |
Members: Messrs. Findlay and Gregson, Ms. Sloan and
Mr. Sweeney (Chair). Mr. Gregson is not standing for
re-election as a director.
The Responsible Care Committee is responsible for reviewing and
making recommendations to the Board regarding matters relating
to the environment and occupational health and safety issues
that impact significantly on the Company and has oversight
responsibility for the Companys Corporate Social
Responsibility Policy. The Committee also reviews the policies
and standards that are in place to ensure that the Company is
carrying out all of its operations in accordance with the
principles of Responsible
Care®.
In 2005, this Committee met twice. The overall Committee member
attendance rate at these meetings was 100%.
Statement of Corporate Governance Practices
Corporate governance is an important public policy issue.
Corporate governance means having in place processes and
structures which provide proper direction and management of the
business and affairs of a company and we believe good corporate
governance is critical to a companys effective, efficient
and prudent operation.
The Company is a Canadian reporting issuer with its Common
Shares listed on the TSX and Nasdaq. There have been many recent
regulatory and legal initiatives aimed at improving corporate
governance, increasing corporate accountability and enhancing
transparency of public company disclosure. The Companys
management and Board actively monitor and, where appropriate,
respond to these initiatives. In 2005, the Canadian Securities
Administrators adopted National Instrument 58-101
Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (the
Disclosure Instrument) and National
Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines
(the Guidelines). The Disclosure Instrument requires
us to disclose certain corporate governance practices that we
have adopted, while the Guidelines provide guidance on various
corporate governance practices that companies like ours should
adopt. In this regard, a brief description of our corporate
governance practices, with reference to the areas set out in the
Disclosure Instrument and the Guidelines follows.
1. Board of Directors
Director Independence
Nine of the 11 directors who are standing for election to
the Companys Board have been determined by the Board to be
independent in accordance with Nasdaq rules and the Disclosure
Instrument. Mr. Aitken is the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and is therefore not independent.
Mr. Choquette, the Chairman of the Board, held the position
of Chief Executive Officer from October 1994 to May 2004 and is
therefore not independent.
Of the remaining 9 directors who are standing for election,
the Board has determined that the following 7 directors
have no relationship (material or otherwise) with the Company
other than as directors and shareholders and are therefore
independent: Mr. Cook, Mr. Findlay, Mr. Poole,
Mr. Reid, Ms. Rennie, Ms. Sloan and
Mr. Sweeney.
Mr. Balloch is President of The Balloch Group. The Company
and The Balloch Group have entered into an arms length
agreement under which The Balloch Group provides certain
consulting services in respect of the Companys activities
in China. The other independent directors have reviewed the
relationship between the Company and The Balloch Group and the
Board committees on which Mr. Balloch sits and have
determined that Mr. Balloch is independent.
Mr. Mahaffy is currently Chairman, President and CEO of
McLean Budden Limited (MB). The Methanex defined
contribution pension plan makes MB mutual funds available to
employees and MB earns a commission based on the amount of funds
individual employees invest in MB funds. In 2005, MB was
paid less than $10,000 in commissions as a result of this
arrangement. The other independent directors have reviewed the
relationship between the Company and MB and have determined that
Mr. Mahaffy is independent.
Committees of the Board are constituted exclusively of
independent directors. However, Mr. Aitken, in his capacity
as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and
Mr. Choquette, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board,
attend Committee meetings.
17
Other Directorships
Several of the directors of the Company are directors of other
reporting issuers. For details, please turn to the information
about each director under Election of Directors. The
following table lists the directors who are proposed for
nomination to the Board who served together as directors on the
boards of other corporations or acted as trustees for other
entities during the financial year ended December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
Director/Trustee |
|
Name of Corporation/Entity |
|
|
|
Pierre Choquette*
|
|
Terasen Inc. |
John Reid*
|
|
Terasen Inc. |
|
|
* |
Both Mr. Choquette and Mr. Reid resigned as directors
of Terasen Inc. effective November 30, 2005. |
In Camera Sessions
Following each Board meeting, the independent directors hold
regularly scheduled in camera sessions at which
non-independent directors and members of management are not in
attendance. These in camera sessions are chaired by the Lead
Independent Director. In 2005, there were ten Board meetings and
in camera sessions followed each one. In camera sessions
may, at the discretion of each Committee Chair, follow committee
meetings.
Independence of Board Chair and Lead Independent
director
The Chairman of the Board of the Company, Mr. Choquette, is
not independent as he was formerly the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company. He resigned as the Companys Chief
Executive Officer in May 2004. The Board, mindful of the
governance issues arising from this circumstance, has appointed
a Lead Independent Director whose responsibilities include
providing a source of Board leadership complementary to the
Chairman of the Board, enhancing Board effectiveness and acting
as liaison between the Board and management of the Company and
among directors, including chairing in camera sessions of the
independent directors following Board meetings without the
presence of management. Mr. Findlay is current Lead
Independent Director.
Meeting Attendance Records
For information concerning the number of Board and Committee
meetings held in 2005 as well as the attendance record of each
director for those meetings, please turn to page 11.
2. Board Mandate
The Companys Corporate Governance Principles contains a
Board mandate describing the Boards responsibilities. The
Principles can be found at Schedule B to this Circular.
3. Position Descriptions
Board Chair and Committee Chairs
The Board has developed written position descriptions (which we
call Terms of Reference) for the Chairman of the
Board and each Committee Chair. The Terms of Reference for both
the Chairman of the Board of Directors and for Committee Chairs
are found on our website.
Individual Directors
The Board has developed written Terms of Reference for
individual directors and they are found on our website. The
Corporate Governance Principles also set out responsibilities of
each director.
Lead Independent Director
The Board has developed written Terms of Reference for the Lead
Independent Director and they are found on our website.
CEO
The CEO has a written position description which sets out the
positions key responsibilities. In addition, each year the
CEO has specific corporate and personal performance objectives
and incentive compensation targets that the
18
CEO is responsible for meeting that year. These objectives and
targets are reviewed and approved and tracked during the year by
the Board through the Human Resources Committee. See
page 31 for more complete information on these objectives
and targets.
4. Orientation and Continuing Education
To familiarize new directors with the role of the Board, its
Committees, the directors and the nature and operation of the
Companys business, each new director is provided with a
directors manual which contains information regarding
these matters as well as information on the responsibilities and
liabilities of directors and other relevant information. In
addition, the Company encourages new directors to meet with
senior management and to visit our operations and plant
locations. The Company has also made available to the directors
educational programming addressing topics of interest to
directors.
5. Ethical Business Conduct
Code of Ethics
The Company has a Code of Business Conduct (the
Code) in place which is applicable to all employees,
officers and directors. It provides a set of standards meant to
assist them in avoiding wrong-doing and to promote honest and
ethical behavior while conducting the Companys business.
The Code also establishes a confidential
whistle-blower hotline for reporting suspected
violations of the Code. The Code is reviewed annually by the
Board.
The Board monitors compliance with the Code primarily through
the Corporate Governance Committee and the Audit, Finance and
Risk Committee. These Committees receive regular updates on
matters relating to the Code.
No material change report has been filed since the beginning of
the Companys most recently completed financial year that
pertains to any conduct of a director or executive officer that
constitutes a departure from the Code.
A copy of our Code of Business Conduct may be found on our
website. A printed version is also available upon request to the
Corporate Secretary of the Company.
Transactions involving Directors or Officers
The Code of Business Conduct contains a specific provision
relating to the need for directors, officers and all employees
to avoid conflicts of interest with the Company. Furthermore,
the Corporate Governance Committee is mandated to consider
questions of independence and possible conflicts of interest of
directors and officers. To that end, each director and officer
completes an annual questionnaire in which they report on all
transactions material to the Company in which they have a
material interest. These reports, together with
managements knowledge of all transactions involving the
Company and the directors and officers, are provided to the
Corporate Governance Committee.
Other Measures
Over the past year, the Board has taken a number of other steps
to encourage and promote a culture of ethical business conduct.
It has revised the Code of Business Conduct to call on all
employees to act ethically and honestly when dealing with third
parties. It has also revised the Corporate Governance Committee
mandate to provide that the Committee is to monitor compliance
with the Code within the Company. It has also revised the
Corporate Governance Principles to provide that the Board is to
satisfy itself as to the integrity of the CEO and other
executive officers and that such officers are directed to create
a culture of integrity throughout the organization.
Additionally, the Board has adopted a Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) policy which covers a host of activities
such as social investment, governance, employee engagement and
development, community involvement and anti-bribery and
corruption and links this ethic with the already
firmly-established Responsible Care ethic.
6. Nomination of Directors
Nomination Process
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for
identifying new candidates for nomination to our Board of
Directors. The Committee establishes the criteria for the
selection of new directors to serve on the Board and identifies
and recommends to the Board suitable candidates to stand as
nominees for election or appointment as directors. In
identifying candidates, the Committee takes into account all
factors it considers appropriate, including the overall
composition of the Board and desirable individual
characteristics. Desirable individual characteristics include
19
integrity, strength of character, the ability to generate public
confidence and maintain the goodwill and confidence of our
shareholders, sound and independent business judgement, career
specialization, relevant technical skills, general good health
and the capability and willingness to travel to, attend and
contribute at Board functions on a regular basis. The Committee
also takes into consideration the skills matrix
analysis described below in Section 9
Assessments in identifying the suitability of candidates. The
Committee also conducts inquiries into the backgrounds and
qualifications of possible candidates and in that connection,
has authority to retain search firms to be used to assist it in
identifying candidates.
Nominating Committee
The Board has established the Corporate Governance Committee as
its nominating committee. The Committee is composed entirely of
independent directors. A description of the responsibilities,
powers and the operation of the Corporate Governance Committee
can be found on page 16.
Majority Voting for Directors
On March 3, 2006, the Board adopted a policy which states
that any nominee for election as a director at an Annual Meeting
for whom the number of votes withheld exceeds the number of
votes cast in his or her favour, will be deemed not to have
received the support of shareholders. A director elected in such
circumstances will tender his or her resignation to the Chair of
the Corporate Governance Committee and that Committee will
review the matter and make a recommendation to the Board. The
Board will within 90 days of the Annual Meeting issue a
public release either announcing the resignation of the director
or justifying its decision not to accept the resignation.
If a resignation is accepted, the Board may appoint a new
director to fill the vacancy created by the resignation. This
policy applies only to uncontested director elections, meaning
elections where the number of nominees for director is equal to
the number of directors to be elected.
7. Director and Officer Compensation
Process for Determining Director Compensation
The Corporate Governance Committee, composed entirely of
independent directors, is responsible for reviewing and
recommending to the Board for approval director compensation and
benefits. The Committee has determined to target director
compensation in relation to the 50th percentile of North
American-based chemical companies with international operations.
This is the same comparator group of companies as the Company
uses for executive compensation purposes and the Board received
advice that it is common practice to establish the same
comparator group for director compensation as for executive
officer compensation. The Committee reviews director
compensation and benefits annually.
Process for Determining Officer Compensation
The Human Resources Committee, composed entirely of independent
directors, is responsible for reviewing and recommending to the
Board for approval the compensation for the Companys
officers. For further information on this Committees
responsibilities, powers and operation, please turn to
page 16. The Companys executive compensation policy
is designed to provide competitive compensation to enable the
Company to attract and retain high-quality and high-performance
executives who will significantly contribute to the Company
meeting its strategic business objectives. The Committee reviews
periodically the levels of compensation for officers and obtains
independent advice from consultants with respect to the
competitiveness of officer compensation. The Committee also
obtains advice from the Chief Executive Officer with respect to
compensation matters pertaining to the Companys other
officers.
Compensation Consultant
In late 2004 and early 2005, Mercer Human Resource Consulting
was engaged to review the competitiveness of the Companys
director compensation program. In 2005, Mercer also provided
advice on the competitiveness of certain aspects of officer
compensation and Black-Scholes values for determining stock
option grants. Towers Perrin was retained to assist in the
design of the Performance Share Unit plan which is described on
page 30. Towers Perrin also provides consulting and third
party administration services for the Companys Canadian
pension plan and executive supplemental retirement plans.
20
8. Other Board Committees
In addition to the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee, the
Corporate Governance Committee and the Human Resources
Committee, the Board has established a Public Policy Committee
and the Responsible Care Committee. A description of their
responsibilities can be found on pages 16 and 17.
9. Assessments
The Companys Corporate Governance Principles state that
director performance is the main criterion for determining
a directors on-going service on the Board [and to] assist
in determining performance, each director will take part in an
annual performance evaluation process which shall include a
self-evaluation and a confidential discussion with the
Chairman. Our Board conducts an annual evaluation and the
Corporate Governance Committee oversees that process which is
designed to evaluate the effectiveness and contribution of the
Board, its Committees and individual directors. Results of the
process are reported to the Board.
The Company has carried out an evaluation process for a number
of years. In 2005, the process had each director assess
1) their fellow directors against each of the elements
contained in the directors position description;
2) the operation of each Committee on which they sit; and
3) the Boards collective skills and experience in the
context of the Companys strategic direction (a
skills matrix analysis). The evaluations were in
writing and were tabulated by the Corporate Secretary. Results
of the director peer assessment were provided to the Chairman
who led a confidential feedback discussion with each director.
Each Committee assessment was discussed by the Chairman and the
relevant Committee Chair and later with the entire Committee.
The skills matrix was reviewed by the President and CEO, the
Chairman and Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee and the
findings were shared with the full Board. The skills matrix,
which identifies the skills and experience determined to be
needed on the Board is used as a tool by the Corporate
Governance Committee in identifying and determining the
suitability of candidates to sit on the Companys Board of
Directors.
21
PART IV COMPENSATION
DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
Introduction
Directors compensation is paid only to non-management
directors and is made up of a cash retainer, meeting fees
(except in the case of the Chairman) and an annual Long-Term
Incentive award.
Retainer and Meeting Fees
During the year ended December 31, 2005, annual retainers
and meeting fees were paid to non-management members of the
Board on the following basis:
|
|
|
Annual board retainer for a non-management director
|
|
$40,000 |
Annual retainer for the Chairman of the Board
|
|
$120,000 |
Board meeting attendance fee
|
|
$2,500 per meeting |
Committee meeting attendance fee
|
|
$2,500 per meeting |
Committee chair fee
|
|
$2,500 per meeting |
Cross-country or inter-continental travel fee to attend board or
committee meetings |
|
$2,500 per trip |
All retainers and fees are paid in Canadian dollars.
Non-employee directors are also reimbursed for transportation
and other expenses incurred for attending board and committee
meetings. The existing compensation structure for directors has
remained unchanged since 2000. Commencing in 2005, the Chairman
ceased to receive any per meeting attendance fees,
chair fees or travel fees as his compensation was converted to a
flat annual fee at a level not materially different from the
compensation the Chairman was then receiving.
Long-Term Incentive
Non-management directors ceased to be granted options in 2003.
Instead, they are awarded Restricted Share Units
(RSUs) under the Companys Restricted Share
Unit Plan for Directors as part of the annual Long-Term
Incentive component of their compensation. Directors may elect
to receive their RSU award in the form of DSUs. In 2005 and 2006
directors received either 4,000 RSUs or 4,000 DSUs as
their Long-Term Incentive award, except for the Chairman who
could elect to receive either 5,000 RSUs or
5,000 DSUs. RSUs are notional shares credited to an
RSU Account. When dividends are paid on Common
Shares, an equivalent value of additional RSUs is calculated and
credited to each individuals RSU Account. RSUs granted in
any year will vest on December 1st, in the 24th month
following the end of the year in which the award was made.
Following vesting, directors are entitled to receive a cash
payment based on the price of the Companys Common Shares
at that time, net of applicable withholding tax. RSUs do not
entitle participants to any voting or other shareholder rights
and are non-dilutive to shareholders.
Directors Deferred Share Unit Plan
Under the Companys Deferred Share Unit Plan (the DSU
Plan) (more fully described on page 30), each
non-management director elects annually to receive 100%, 50% or
0% of his or her retainer and meeting fees as Deferred Share
Units (DSUs). The actual number of DSUs granted to a
director is calculated at the end of each quarter by dividing
the dollar amount elected to the DSU Plan by the five day
average closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX during the
last five trading days of that quarter. Additional DSUs are
credited corresponding to dividends declared on the Common
Shares. Under the terms of the DSU Plan, individuals who become
directors in 2006 will not be eligible to participate in the DSU
Plan in 2006.
Directors Share Ownership Guidelines
Since 1998, the Company has had in place share ownership
guidelines for directors to promote shareholder alignment. In
2004, the guidelines were revised to encourage each director to
own shares having a value equal to two times the combined value
of their annual retainer and the value of their long-term
incentive award. In March 2006, this guideline was further
revised to provide that each director is to own shares having a
value equal to at least five times
22
their annual retainer. RSUs and DSUs held by a director are
considered when determining whether the individual is meeting
the share ownership guidelines. Please refer to the section
entitled Election of Directors beginning on page 5 for
details on the number of Common Shares, RSUs and DSUs held by
each director as at March 3, 2006. The following table
shows the percentage of the guideline achieved for each
non-management director based on their holdings on March 3,
2006. The table includes Ms. Wexler and Mr. Gregson,
both of whom are not standing for election at the Meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially | |
|
|
|
% of | |
|
|
Owned or Over which | |
|
Restricted and/or | |
|
Stock Ownership | |
|
|
Control or Direction | |
|
Deferred Share | |
|
Guideline | |
Name |
|
is Exercised | |
|
Units Held(1) | |
|
Achieved(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Bruce Aitken
|
|
|
58,652 |
|
|
|
314,981 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
Howard Balloch
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,095 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
Pierre Choquette
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
164,696 |
|
|
|
626 |
|
Robert Findlay
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
73,665 |
|
|
|
955 |
|
Brian Gregson
|
|
|
42,500 |
|
|
|
60,240 |
|
|
|
1,172 |
|
A. Terence Poole
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
14,365 |
|
|
|
506 |
|
John Reid
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
19,024 |
|
|
|
331 |
|
Monica Sloan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,410 |
|
|
|
267 |
|
Graham Sweeney
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,503 |
|
|
|
588 |
|
Anne Wexler
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
24,601 |
|
|
|
292 |
|
|
|
(1) |
In the case of Mr. Aitken, this column also includes
Performance Share Units (PSUs) that he holds.
Non-management
directors do not participate in the PSU Plan. |
|
(2) |
Based on the average share price of $22.82 for the 90-day period
ending March 3, 2006. |
23
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation
The following table sets forth a summary of compensation earned
during the last three fiscal years by the Companys Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and its three other
executive officers who had the highest aggregate salary and
bonus during 2005. (All such officers are herein collectively
referred to as the Named Executive Officers).
Information is also included in respect of one additional
individual who would have been a Named Executive
Officer had he remained employed as an executive officer
on December 31, 2005.
All amounts shown in this table and elsewhere in this
Information Circular are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise
noted.
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
Awards | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under | |
|
Restricted Share | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options | |
|
Units(4) | |
|
|
|
|
Base Salary | |
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Granted | |
|
| |
|
All Other | |
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
($) | |
|
Bonus(1) | |
|
Compensation(2) | |
|
(#)(3) | |
|
(#) | |
|
$ | |
|
Compensation(5) | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Bruce
Aitken(6) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
848,000 |
|
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
83,843 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
117,000 |
|
|
|
2,603,250 |
|
|
|
209,846 |
|
|
|
|
President and CEO |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
708,730 |
|
|
|
930,000 |
|
|
|
263,104 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,000 |
|
|
|
1,016,400 |
|
|
|
174,079 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
728,220 |
|
|
|
527,000 |
|
|
|
78,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
341,900 |
|
|
|
80,246 |
|
|
|
|
Ian Cameron |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
349,500 |
|
|
|
265,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
21,000 |
|
|
|
467,250 |
|
|
|
78,336 |
|
|
|
|
Senior VP, Finance & CFO |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
312,250 |
|
|
|
243,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
338,800 |
|
|
|
70,199 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
280,250 |
|
|
|
239,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
341,900 |
|
|
|
61,531 |
|
|
|
|
Rodolfo
Krause(7) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
572,000 |
|
|
|
428,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
21,000 |
|
|
|
467,250 |
|
|
|
101,860 |
|
|
|
|
Senior VP, Latin America & |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
544,347 |
|
|
|
404,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
338,800 |
|
|
|
79,467 |
|
|
|
|
Global Manufacturing |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
484,766 |
|
|
|
447,649 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
341,900 |
|
|
|
94,399 |
|
|
|
|
John Gordon |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
412,000 |
|
|
|
306,000 |
|
|
|
73,618 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
21,000 |
|
|
|
467,250 |
|
|
|
92,504 |
|
|
|
|
Senior VP, Corporate |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
395,500 |
|
|
|
316,000 |
|
|
|
92,005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
338,800 |
|
|
|
89,467 |
|
|
|
|
Resources |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
382,000 |
|
|
|
324,000 |
|
|
|
70,311 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
341,900 |
|
|
|
85,651 |
|
|
|
|
Jorge
Yanez(8) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
379,000 |
|
|
|
281,000 |
|
|
|
96,077 |
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
9,750 |
|
|
|
216,938 |
|
|
|
104,509 |
|
|
|
|
Senior VP, Caribbean & |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
392,000 |
|
|
|
217,042 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,800 |
|
|
|
73,920 |
|
|
|
124,816 |
|
|
|
|
Global Manufacturing |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
302,000 |
|
|
|
176,003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101,685 |
|
|
|
|
Appointed September 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gerry
Duffy(9) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
232,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,270,807 |
|
|
|
|
Senior VP, Global Marketing |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
375,000 |
|
|
|
301,000 |
|
|
|
94,253 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
338,800 |
|
|
|
59,537 |
|
|
|
|
& Logistics |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
360,000 |
|
|
|
313,000 |
|
|
|
80,681 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
341,900 |
|
|
|
51,080 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
These annual incentive payments are reported in the year in
which they were earned, not in the year in which they were
actually paid. They are paid in cash and/or DSUs in the
year following the year in which they are earned. The DSU Plan
is more fully described on page 30. For more information
concerning these annual incentives, refer to Short-Term
Incentive Plan on page 29. Mr. Aitken elected to
receive 50% of his 2003 and 2004 Short-Term Incentive Plan award
payments in cash (2004 $465,000; 2003
$263,500) and 50% in DSUs (2004 23,285;
2003 20,506). Mr. Duffy elected to receive 100%
of his 2004 Short-Term Incentive Plan award payment in the form
of 15,073 DSUs. During 2005, they also received additional
DSUs corresponding to dividends being declared on Common Shares
as follows: Mr. Aitken: 1,072 (2004 408;
2003 0); Mr. Duffy: 366 (2004 0;
2003 0). As at December 31, 2005, the total
number of DSUs and their value (calculated by multiplying the
number of DSUs by the closing market price of the Common share
on the TSX on that date) is: for Mr. Aitken
45,271 DSUs $986,906 and for Mr. Duffy
15,439 DSUs $336,560. |
|
(2) |
The amounts shown represent: |
|
|
|
|
|
For Mr. Aitken: housing allowance (2005
$20,904), vacation payout (2005 $20,000), auto
allowance (2003 $41,515; 2002 36,080),
tax payments in respect of certain perquisites and other
personal benefits made on his behalf (2004 $88,224;
2003 $37,134), relocation payment (2004
$68,461), club membership and other miscellaneous items. |
|
|
|
For Mr. Gordon: housing allowance (2005
$35,799; 2004 34,951; 2003 $37,084), tax
payments in respect of certain perquisites and other personal
benefits made on his behalf, auto allowance, club membership and
other miscellaneous items. |
|
|
|
For Mr. Yanez: housing equity loss payment
(2005 $84,446), auto allowance and other perquisites
and personal benefits made on his behalf, club membership and
other miscellaneous items. |
|
|
|
For Mr. Duffy: housing allowance (2004 $50,787;
2003 $56,982), tax payments in respect of certain
perquisites and other personal benefits made on his behalf, auto
allowance and other miscellaneous items. |
Where there is no entry for Other Annual Compensation in the
table, the total value of such compensation is less than the
lesser of $50,000 and 10% of total annual salary and bonus for
the Named Executive Officer.
24
Where no amount is stated in this footnote in respect of a
particular benefit, the amount does not exceed 25% of the total
Other Annual Compensation amount disclosed in the table.
|
|
(3) |
Consists of options for Common Shares of the Company granted. |
|
(4) |
The RSU Plan is more fully described on page 30. The dollar
value of the RSUs shown in the table is obtained by multiplying
the number of RSUs awarded by the closing market price of the
Common Shares on the TSX on March 14, 2003 ($13.15),
March 5, 2004 ($15.60) or March 4, 2005 ($22.25), the
dates the RSUs were awarded. During 2005, the Named Executive
Officers also received additional RSUs corresponding to
dividends being declared on Common Shares: B. Aitken: 4,857
(2004 1,865; 2003 560); I. Cameron:
1,512 (2004 976; 2003 560);
R. Krause: 1,512 (2004 976; 2003
560); J. Gordon: 1,512 (2004 1,865;
2003 560); J. Yanez: 348 (2004 97;
2003 0) and G. Duffy: 1,014 (2004
976; 2003 560). RSUs awarded in 2003 and their
applicable dividend equivalents vested on December 1, 2005.
As a result, the Named Executive Officers received 1) cash
equaling one-half of
the number of vested RSUs multiplied by the weighted average
closing board lot share price per Common Share on the TSX during
the last 15 days on which the such shares traded on the TSX
prior to December 1st, 2005; and 2) Common Shares
equaling one-half of
the number of vested RSUs. The aggregate value for each Named
Executive Officer is as follows: B. Aitken: $558,055;
I. Cameron: $558,055; R. Krause: $558,055;
G. Duffy: $538,838. |
|
|
|
The number and value of the aggregate holdings of unvested RSUs
including applicable dividend equivalents of each Named
Executive Officer at the end of 2005 (calculated by multiplying
the number of unvested RSUs then held by the Named Executive
Officer by $21.80, the closing market price of the Common Shares
on the TSX on December 31, 2005) was: B. Aitken:
188,710 RSUs $4,113,878; I. Cameron
44,476 RSUs $969,576; R. Krause
44,476 RSUs $969,576; J. Gordon
44,476 RSUs $969,576; J. Yanez
14,995 RSUs $326,885. G. Duffy was granted
21,000 RSUs in March 2005 but these RSUs were forfeited on
August 1st, 2005, the date that he left the Company. |
|
|
(5) |
The amounts include premiums paid on life insurance and health
care, contributions to the Companys Employee Share
Purchase Plan and pension contributions to both the regular
Company Defined Contribution pension plan and contributions to
the Canadian Supplemental Retirement Plan. Additionally,
Mr. Duffy was paid a retiring allowance of $1,218,521 in
2005 as per the conditions of his employment agreement. |
|
(6) |
Mr. Aitken was employed in New Zealand for the year 2003
and during that year received his compensation in New Zealand
dollars with the exception of his 2003 Short-Term Incentive
award. His salary and other compensation shown in this table
have been converted to Canadian dollars using average foreign
exchange rates for the relevant year. Mr. Aitken was
appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company
in September 2003, and President and Chief Executive Officer in
May 2004. |
|
(7) |
Mr. Krause received his compensation in Chilean pesos. His
salary and other compensation shown in this table have been
converted to Canadian dollars using an average foreign exchange
rate for the relevant year except for his annual incentive
payment which uses the average foreign exchange rate in effect
on the date payment was approved by the Board. |
|
(8) |
Mr. Yanez receives his compensation in US dollars. His
salary and other compensation shown in this table have been
converted to Canadian dollars using an average foreign exchange
rate for the relevant year except for his annual incentive
payment which uses the average foreign exchange rate in effect
on the date payment was approved by the Board. |
|
(9) |
Mr. Duffy was employed for 7 months during 2005 and
left the Company on August 1, 2005. |
Stock Options
The following table sets forth information concerning the single
grant of stock options made to Named Executive Officers during
2005, which was made on March 4, 2005.
Option Grants During Most Recently Completed Financial
Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Value of | |
|
|
|
|
Securities, | |
|
Percent of Total | |
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
Under | |
|
Options | |
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
|
|
|
Options | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise or Base | |
|
Options on | |
|
|
|
|
Granted | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Price | |
|
the Date of Grant | |
|
|
Name |
|
(#) | |
|
Financial Year | |
|
(US$/Security)(1) | |
|
(US$/Security)(1) | |
|
Expiration Date | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Bruce Aitken
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
21.38% |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
|
March 3, 2012 |
|
Ian Cameron
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
4.30% |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
|
March 3, 2012 |
|
Rodolfo Krause
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
4.30% |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
|
March 3, 2012 |
|
John Gordon
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
4.30% |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
|
March 3, 2012 |
|
Jorge Yanez
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
1.50% |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
|
March 3, 2012 |
|
Gerry Duffy
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
4.30% |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
|
March 3, 2012 |
|
|
|
(1) |
For the purposes of these columns, the price represents the
closing price on the TSX on the day prior to the date of the
grant converted to US dollars at the noon rate as published
by the Bank of Canada on that day. One third of the options are
exercisable commencing the first anniversary of the date of the
grant, a further third commencing the second anniversary of the
date of the grant and the final third are exercisable commencing
the third anniversary of the date of the grant and the options,
if unexercised, will expire in the ordinary course seven years
after the date of their grant. |
25
The following table sets forth information concerning the value
realized upon the exercise of options during 2005 and the value
of unexercised options held by the Named Executive Officers as
at December 31, 2005.
Aggregated Option Exercises During the Most Recently
Completed Financial Year
and Financial Year-End Option Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
Unexercised Options | |
|
in-the-Money Options | |
|
|
Acquired | |
|
Aggregate | |
|
at December 31, 2005 (#) | |
|
at December 31, 2005 (Cdn $)(2) | |
|
|
On Exercise | |
|
Value Realized | |
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
(#) | |
|
(Cdn $)(1) | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Bruce Aitken
|
|
|
18,250 |
|
|
|
294,555 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
156,000 |
|
Ian Cameron
|
|
|
41,900 |
|
|
|
615,317 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
31,200 |
|
Rodolfo Krause
|
|
|
18,250 |
|
|
|
269,188 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
31,200 |
|
John Gordon
|
|
|
103,250 |
|
|
|
1,491,530 |
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
20,375 |
|
|
|
31,200 |
|
Jorge Yanez
|
|
|
55,250 |
|
|
|
862,078 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
16,750 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
80,108 |
|
Gerry Duffy
|
|
|
21,750 |
|
|
|
322,670 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
31,200 |
|
|
|
(1) |
For the purposes of this column, if the exercise price of any
option is denominated in US dollars, such exercise price has
been converted to Canadian dollars using the Bank of Canada noon
rate of exchange on the date of the exercise. |
|
(2) |
The closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on
December 31, 2005 was Cdn $21.80. For the purposes of this
column, if the exercise price of any option is denominated in US
dollars, such exercise price has been converted to Canadian
dollars using the Bank of Canada closing rate of exchange on
December 31, 2005. |
Retirement Plans
The Company has established a defined benefit retirement plan
and a defined contribution retirement plan. Both plans are
non-contributory with normal retirement occurring at age 65.
None of the Named Executive Officers participate in the defined
benefit retirement plan.
The defined contribution plan provides an annual company
contribution equal to 7% of annual base salary. Contributions
are made to a retirement account and invested according to a
selection of investment vehicles. Ten investment vehicles are
made available. At retirement, funds in the account may be used
to purchase an annuity, transferred to a life income fund or
transferred to a locked-in registered retirement savings plan.
All Named Executive Officers except Mr. Krause and
Mr. Yanez participate in the defined contribution plan. As
a non-resident of Canada, Mr. Krause is not eligible to
participate in the Canadian retirement plan but participates in
a retirement plan of a Chilean subsidiary of the Company. Also,
as a non-resident of Canada, Mr. Yanez is not eligible to
participate in the Canadian retirement plan but participates in
a retirement plan of a US subsidiary of the Company.
Canadian income tax legislation places limits on the amount of
retirement benefit which may be paid from the regular retirement
plan. Named Executive Officers resident in Canada participate in
a supplemental retirement plan which provides benefits in excess
of what is provided under the regular plan. Benefits are
provided without regard to Canadian income tax limits on the
maximum benefit payable and are paid net of any benefit payable
under the regular plan. Supplemental plan benefits are based on
earnings defined as base salary plus the target Short-Term
Incentive award and provide Named Executive Officers with an
annual contribution equal to 11% of earnings less any
contributions made to the regular plan. The supplemental plan is
funded with a combination of assets and a letter of credit.
Mr. Yanez, a
non-resident of Canada,
participates in a supplemental plan of a US subsidiary of
the Company which provides him with benefits materially similar
to those provided to Named Executive Officers resident in Canada.
26
The following table shows the change in value of the
supplemental retirement plan benefits for the Named Executive
Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce Aitken |
|
Ian Cameron |
|
John Gordon |
|
Gerry Duffy(1) |
|
Jorge Yanez(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 Salary rate
|
|
$864,000 |
|
$360,000 |
|
$416,000 |
|
$410,000 |
|
$399,839 |
2005 Short-Term Incentive Target
|
|
$648,000 |
|
$180,000 |
|
$208,000 |
|
$205,000 |
|
$120,000 |
Pension value as at December 31, 2004
|
|
$124,937 |
|
$186,220 |
|
$351,509 |
|
$133,236 |
|
$ 97,470 |
Current Service Cost
|
|
$145,240 |
|
$ 39,667 |
|
$ 49,980 |
|
$ 22,008 |
|
$ 35,786 |
Interest cost
|
|
$ 17,912 |
|
$ 19,734 |
|
$ 36,204 |
|
$ 10,653 |
|
$ 2,361 |
Pension value as at December 31, 2005
|
|
$288,089 |
|
$245,620 |
|
$437,693 |
|
$165,898 |
|
$135,617 |
|
|
(1) |
Mr. Duffy left the Company on August 1, 2005. The
pension value as at December 31, 2005 presented above
actually represents his pension value as at August 1, 2005. |
|
(2) |
Mr. Yanezs amounts have been converted to Canadian
dollars using an average foreign exchange rate. |
Termination of Employment and Employment Contracts
The Company has entered into employment agreements with the
Named Executive Officers that provide for certain rights in the
event of involuntary termination of employment or a change in
control.
Mr. Aitken has an employment agreement which provides for
three months notice and a termination payment, if his employment
is terminated without cause, of an amount equal to
(a) 2.5 times his annual salary;
(b) 2.5 times his target Short-Term Incentive Plan
payment; and (c) compensation for pension and various other
company benefits he would have received over a
30-month period. In the
event of termination or material change in employment status
within 24 months following a change of control of the
Company, he is entitled to an amount equal to
(a) 2.5 times his annual salary;
(b) 2.5 times the average of his last three
years Short-Term Incentive Plan payments; and
(c) compensation for pension and other company benefits he
would have received over a
30-month period, plus
all legal and professional fees and expenses.
Messrs. Cameron, Krause, Gordon and Yanez each have an
employment agreement which provides for three months notice and
a termination payment, if their employment is terminated without
cause, of an amount equal to (a) 1.5 times their
annual salary; (b) 1.5 times their target Short-Term
Incentive Plan payment; and (c) compensation for pension
and various other company benefits they would have received over
an 18-month period. In the event of termination or material
change in employment status within 24 months following a
change of control of the Company, each is entitled to an amount
equal to (a) 2.0 times their annual salary; (b) 2.0
times the average of their last three years Short-Term
Incentive Plan payments; and (c) compensation for pension
and other company benefits they would have received over a
24-month period, plus all legal and professional fees and
expenses.
Composition of the Compensation Committee
The Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors is
charged with responsibility for compensation matters in respect
of executive officers. The Committee, as of the date of this
Information Circular, consists of four members
Messrs. Findlay and Balloch, Ms. Sloan and
Ms. Wexler. None of the members of the Committee is, or was
during the most recently completed financial year, an officer or
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, was formerly
an officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has any
indebtedness to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or has
any material interest, or any associates or affiliates which
have a material interest, direct or indirect, in any actual or
proposed transaction since the commencement of the
Companys most recently completed financial year which has
materially affected or would materially affect the Company or
any of its subsidiaries.
27
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Human Resources Committee Report on Executive Compensation
As part of its mandate, the Human Resources Committee of the
Board reviews and recommends to the Board for approval the
remuneration of the Companys executive officers, including
the Named Executive Officers identified in the Summary
Compensation Table. The Committee obtains independent advice
from consultants with respect to compensation of executive
officers. The Committee reviews periodically the levels of
compensation for executive officers. The last such competitive
assessment was conducted in February 2005 and the results were
reviewed by the Committee in March 2005. Based on the results of
this assessment, total cash compensation for executive officers
was deemed to be competitive. The Committee also obtains the
advice and recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer with
respect to compensation matters pertaining to the Companys
other executive officers.
Executive Compensation Policy
Guiding Principles and Objectives
The Companys executive compensation policy is designed to
provide competitive compensation to enable the Company to
attract and retain high-quality and high-performance executives
who will significantly contribute to the Company meeting its
strategic business objectives. The Company also believes in the
importance of encouraging executives to own Company shares to
more fully align management with the interests of shareholders
and focus managements activities on developing and
implementing strategies that create and deliver value for
shareholders.
Share Ownership Guidelines
Since 1998, the Company has had share ownership guidelines in
place for executive officers to promote meaningful share
ownership. The guidelines encourage each executive officer to
own shares having a value equal to at least, in the case of the
Companys Chief Executive Officer, 5.0 times annual base
salary and, in the case of each of the other executive officers,
3.0 times annual base salary. RSUs, PSUs and DSUs held by an
executive officer are considered when determining whether the
executive is meeting their share ownership guidelines. The
target guidelines are intended to be met within three to five
years from the date that each individual became an executive
officer. All other management personnel of the Company are also
subject to share ownership guidelines that are related to the
level of their position. The table which follows details the
share ownership position of the Named Executive Officers who
were employed at December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Common Shares | |
|
|
|
|
Beneficially | |
|
|
|
|
Owned or Over | |
|
Performance | |
|
Stock Ownership | |
|
|
Which Control or | |
|
Deferred or | |
|
Guidelines | |
|
|
Direction is | |
|
Restricted Share | |
|
Achieved(1) | |
Name |
|
Exercised | |
|
Units Held | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Bruce
Aitken(2)
|
|
|
57,717 |
|
|
|
233,980 |
|
|
|
130 |
|
Ian Cameron
|
|
|
27,256 |
|
|
|
44,476 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
John Gordon
|
|
|
21,110 |
|
|
|
44,476 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
Rodolfo Krause
|
|
|
15,811 |
|
|
|
44,476 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
Jorge Yanez
|
|
|
27,282 |
|
|
|
14,995 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Based on the average closing share price of $19.25 for the
90-day period ending December 31, 2005, the percentage
demonstrates the extent to which the guideline has been
achieved. The percentage is also based on their 2005 base salary. |
|
(2) |
Bruce Aitkens holdings of Common Shares, PSUs, RSUs and
DSUs as at March 3, 2006 are found on page 5. His
percentage of stock ownership guideline achieved as at
March 3, 2006 is found on page 23. |
The Company has instituted other practices within its
compensation policy directed at aligning the activities of
executive officers with the interests of shareholders. For more
information on these practices, refer to Performance Share
Unit Plan, Restricted Share Unit Plan and
Deferred Share Unit Plan all on page 30.
28
Total Compensation
Total compensation for executive officers comprises base salary,
short term incentives, long-term incentives and indirect
compensation. Total compensation is established to be
competitive in proximity to the 50th percentile of the aggregate
compensation for organizations in a reference group of companies
selected on the basis of size and industry and that represent
the market within which the Company competes for leadership
talent. Specifically, the reference group of companies is
comprised of large North American-based chemical, industrial and
commodity companies having, where possible, significant
international operations.
Base Salary
Base salaries for executive officers are targeted to be
competitive in proximity to the 50th percentile of a reference
group of North American-based chemical companies, taking into
account the growth, size, global complexity and autonomous
characteristics of the Company. The Company sources compensation
comparison information from external consultants.
Short-Term Incentive Plan
The Companys Short-Term Incentive Plan is designed to
recognize the contributions made by executive officers to the
business results of the Company. This plan provides for the
potential of an annual cash award based on corporate performance
using quantifiable financial and operational objectives
established in advance by the Board and personal performance
using specific and pre-established objectives. A target award
equaling 75% of annual base salary in respect of the Chief
Executive Officer and 50% of annual base salary for all other
executive officers is dependent upon both individual and
corporate performance. This plan provides for an award in excess
of the target award if corporate and/or individual performance
results exceed the target performance set for the year.
The Short-Term Incentive Plan award requires that personal
performance and corporate performance be quantified and weighted
for calculation purposes. The corporate performance component
represents 60% of the potential overall award and is based on
shareholder returns and strategic corporate targets. The
personal performance component represents 40% of the potential
overall award and is based on leadership and business
initiatives identified for each executive officers area of
responsibility. A more detailed review of the Short-Term
Incentive Plan as a component of the Chief Executive
Officers compensation is found on page 31.
Each executive officer may elect annually to receive 100%, 50%
or 0% of his Short-Term Incentive Plan award as DSUs. No
Executive Officers elected DSUs in respect of their 2005 Short
Term Incentive Plan Award, which is paid in 2006. DSUs are more
fully described on page 30.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Long-Term Incentive Plan is designed to align the interests
of executive officers with those of shareholders, to focus
efforts on improving shareholder value and the Companys
long-term financial strength and to provide an incentive to
continue employment with the Company by providing executive
officers with the opportunity to acquire an increased financial
interest in the Company. The Long-Term Incentive Plan was
significantly modified in 2003 with the introduction of the RSU
Plan, described below, which serves to reduce stock option
grants with a non-dilutive award of RSUs. The plan was further
modified for 2006 to replace RSUs with Performance Share Units.
The Long-Term Incentive Plan has the following two components:
(a) Incentive Stock Option Plan
Under the Incentive Stock Option Plan, executive officers are
eligible for grants of Company stock options. Options are
granted by the Board on the recommendation of the Committee. The
number of options granted to each executive officer in any year
is related to responsibility level and may be adjusted to retain
key talent and for longer-term potential for upward mobility.
Commencing in 2002, the exercise price is set equal to the
closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the day before
the date of the grant and converted to US dollars using the Bank
of Canada Daily Noon Rate on the day that the closing price is
established. All options granted prior to 2005 expire, in the
ordinary course, ten years after their date of grant. Stock
options granted in 2005 and going forward expire seven years
after their date of grant. For a more complete description of
the Incentive Stock Option Plan, please refer to page 34.
In 2005 all executive officers received 25% of the value of
their 2005 Long-Term Incentive award in stock options and 75% in
RSUs. In 2006, all executive officers received 50% of the value
of their 2006 Long-Term Incentive Award
29
in stock options and 50% in PSUs. In 2006, Mr. Aitken
received 342,000 stock options and all other executive
officers received 60,000 stock options.
(b) Performance Share Unit Plan
In 2006, the Company introduced the Performance Share Unit Plan.
PSUs are notional shares credited to a PSU Account.
Additional PSUs corresponding to dividends declared on the
Common Shares are also credited to the PSU Account. PSUs granted
in any year will normally vest on December 31, in the
24th month following the end of the year in which the award
was made. For example, PSUs awarded in 2006 will vest on
December 31, 2008. All of the Executive Officers and other
key management personnel are eligible to participate in the PSU
plan. At the time of vesting, the number of units in the
PSU Account may be increased by up to 20% or reduced to as
low as 50% based on the Companys performance against
predetermined criteria. For PSUs granted in 2006, the
performance criterion is the compound annual growth rate in
total shareholder return (TSR CAGR) over the
period January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008 (the
Measurement Period). TSR CAGR is calculated as the
change (if any) in value of an initial hypothetical investment
of US$100 in shares expressed as a percentage and determined on
an annual and compounded basis over the Measurement Period, with
dividends assumed to be reinvested. In respect of PSUs granted
in 2006, if the target TSR CAGR of 8% over the vesting period is
reached, 100% of such PSUs will vest on December 31, 2008.
Mr. Aitken received 81,000 PSUs and all other
executive officers received 14,000 PSUs as part of their
2006 Long-Term Incentive award. The Companys costing model
predicts that, if the target of 8% TSR CAGR is achieved,
the proportion of shareholder value created that will be paid to
the CEO as a result of his PSU grant (sharing
rate) will be 0.34%. The sharing rate for the total grant
of PSUs would be 1.69%.
In general, following the vesting of the PSUs, an employee
obtains an amount of cash equal to one-half of the value of
their vested PSUs (less withholding taxes) and a number of
Common Shares equal to
one-half the number of
vested PSUs. PSUs held by an employee are considered when
determining whether the individual is meeting share ownership
guidelines. PSUs do not entitle participants to any voting or
other shareholder rights.
Restricted Share Unit Plan
Effective from 2006, RSUs have been replaced by PSUs as a
component of the Long Term Incentive Plan.
RSUs are notional shares credited to an RSU Account.
Additional RSUs corresponding to dividends declared on the
Common Shares are also credited to the RSU Account. Prior to
2005, executive officers were entitled to elect to receive 50%
or 100% of the value of their annual Long-Term Incentive award
in the form of RSUs and, if resident in Canada, they could make
a further election to take DSUs in place of their RSU award. In
2005, executives were granted 75% of their Long-Term Incentive
value as RSUs. RSUs granted in any year will normally vest on
November 1, in the 24th month following the end of the year
in which the award was made. For example, RSUs awarded in 2005
will vest on November 1, 2007. In general, following the
vesting of the RSUs, an employee obtains an amount of cash equal
to one-half of the value of their vested RSUs (less withholding
taxes) and a number of Common Shares equal to one-half the
number of vested RSUs. Under the RSU Plan, participating
employees that are resident in Canada that participate in the
DSU Plan can elect to receive, following vesting of any RSUs,
DSUs in relation to such vested RSUs, in lieu of the payments
the executive would otherwise receive pursuant to the RSU Plan.
RSUs held by an employee are considered when determining whether
the individual is meeting share ownership guidelines. RSUs do
not entitle participants to any voting or other shareholder
rights.
Indirect Compensation Benefits and Perquisites
Indirect compensation of executive officers includes
participation in the retirement plans described above as well as
benefits such as extended health and dental care, life insurance
and disability benefits. Executive officers may also participate
in the Companys Employee Share Purchase Plan which allows
them to regularly contribute up to 15% of base salary into an
account in order to purchase Common Shares. The Company
contributes into the account an amount of cash equal to one-half
of the executive officers cash contribution to a maximum
of 5% of base salary. The combined funds in the account are, on
a semi-monthly basis, used to purchase Common Shares on the open
market.
Deferred Share Unit Plan
Under the DSU Plan, each executive officer may elect annually to
receive 100%, 50% or 0% of his Short-Term Incentive Plan award
as DSUs. The actual number of DSUs granted to an executive
officer with respect to an executive officers Short-Term
Incentive Plan award is calculated in March of the following
calendar year by dividing the dollar
30
amount elected to the DSU Plan by the average daily closing
price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the last 90 days
of the prior calendar year. Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan,
executive officers who are awarded PSUs or RSUs may elect to
receive an equivalent number of DSUs in place of their PSU/RSU
settlement, at the time of vesting. A DSU account is credited
with notional grants of DSUs received by each DSU Plan member.
Additional DSUs are credited to DSU Plan members corresponding
to dividends declared on the Common Shares. DSUs do not entitle
a DSU Plan member to any voting or other shareholder rights.
DSUs count towards the achievement of Share Ownership Guidelines.
The DSUs are redeemable only when the DSU Plan members
term as a director or employment with the Company ceases or upon
death (Termination Date) and a lump sum cash
payment, net of any withholdings, is made after the DSU Plan
member specifies the redemption date. The lump sum amount is
calculated by multiplying the number of DSUs held in the account
by the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the
redemption date. The redemption date may fall on a date within a
period beginning one year before the Termination Date and ending
on December 1 of the first calendar year commencing after
the Termination Date.
Executives Outside Canada
Total compensation policy as it relates to Named Executive
Officers employed outside North America is established with
reference to the local market in each country. Reference groups
of comparator companies are established with policy benchmarks
for salaries and benefits at each level of management. Executive
officers employed in countries other than Canada are eligible to
participate in the Companys Short-Term Incentive Plan and
Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
The Chief Executive Officers total compensation is
targeted to be competitive in proximity to the 50th percentile
of a reference group of North American-based chemical companies,
taking into account the growth, size, global complexity and
autonomous characteristics of the Company. The Company sources
compensation comparison information from external consultants.
The three components of the Chief Executive Officers total
compensation are:
|
|
|
|
|
Base Salary, |
|
|
|
Short-Term Incentives, and |
|
|
|
Long-Term Incentives. |
Base Salary
The Chief Executive Officers base salary is established
within a salary range, the midpoint of which is targeted to be
at the 50th percentile of the external market. Initial placement
into the range is based on qualifications and experience. The
salary will be adjusted based on annual assessments of
performance against the demands of the position. Over time, base
salary can approach and may exceed the midpoint of the salary
range. In Mr. Aitkens case, initial placement into
the range reflected a promotion from a subordinate position and,
as he gains in experience and demonstrates continued
achievement, his salary would be expected to reflect a
commensurate increase.
Short-Term Incentive Plan
The Short-Term Incentive Plan award requires that the personal
performance and corporate performance be quantified for
calculation purposes and weighted 60% for corporate performance
and 40% for Chief Executive Officers personal performance.
A target award equaling 75% of annual base salary exists for the
Chief Executive Officer.
The Board determined that the corporate performance component in
2005 be based on two elements: the Companys return on
capital employed, modified to eliminate the distortion of
accounting depreciation on new and depreciated assets
(Modified ROCE), and total fixed cash costs budgeted
for the year. The Company uses ROCE as a measure of the quality
of the returns to shareholders and in 2005 established 12%
Modified ROCE as the target payout. The Companys actual
Modified ROCE in 2005 was 18%. The Companys management
establishes an annual budget for total fixed cash costs.
Managing cash costs is important for the Companys business
and being low cost is a key element of the Companys core
strategy. In 2005, this target was partially achieved.
The personal performance component is based on a number of
measures including the successful execution of strategic
initiatives, organizational leadership and achievement of other
corporate objectives. For Mr. Aitken, the highest priority
items in the personal performance component in 2005 were
successful start-up of the Chile IV project,
31
successful integration of the Atlas and Titan plants in Trinidad
and progressing a potential new methanol production project
against established timelines. Other priority items consisted of
achieving Responsible Care objectives, improved metrics in the
2005 Employee Engagement Survey and certain other criteria.
Following the end of 2005, the Board reviewed
Mr. Aitkens performance against each of these
measures and determined that the objectives of both the
corporate and personal performance components were exceeded in
aggregate and the Board awarded Mr. Aitken a short-term
incentive award valued at 140% of the target payout.
Consequently, he was awarded a short-term incentive payment of
$900,000.
For 2006, the Board has determined that the corporate
performance component in respect of the Chief Executive Officer
be based again on Modified ROCE and managing cash costs. The
Board has also determined that the highest priority personal
performance components comprise delivering superior shareholder
returns, achieving Responsible Care objectives, exhibiting
continued industry leadership, developing gas supply
alternatives for the Chilean assets, ensuring sound science
underpins the regulation of methanol and its derivatives and
certain other criteria.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
The long-term incentives to which the Chief Executive Officer is
entitled are described commencing on page 29.
|
|
|
Submitted by the Human Resources Committee:
R. Findlay (Chair)
H. Balloch
M. Sloan
A. Wexler |
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
No director or officer of the Company, no proposed nominee for
election as a director of the Company, and no associate of any
such director, officer or proposed nominee, at any time during
the most recently completed financial year has been indebted to
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or had indebtedness to
another entity which is, or has been, the subject of a
guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or similar
arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, other than, in each case, routine
indebtedness (as defined in the CBCA and under applicable
securities laws) or which was entirely repaid before the date
hereof.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS LIABILITY INSURANCE
The Company carries insurance that includes coverage for the
benefit of the directors and officers of the Company and its
subsidiaries arising from any claim or claims made against them,
jointly or severally, during the policy period, by reason of any
wrongful act, as defined in the policy, in their respective
capacities as directors or officers. The policy also insures the
Company and its subsidiaries in respect of any amount the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is permitted or required to
pay to any of its directors or officers as reimbursement for
claims made against them in their capacity as a director or
officer.
The insurance provides US $125,000,000 coverage, inclusive
of costs, charges and expenses, subject in the case of loss by
the Company or its subsidiaries to a deductible of
US $500,000 (US $1,000,000 for securities claims).
There is no deductible in the case of loss by a director or
officer. However, the limits of coverage available in respect of
any single claim may be less than US $125,000,000, as the
insurance is subject to an annual aggregate limit of
US $125,000,000.
The cost of this insurance for the current policy year is
US $1,319,320.
32
PART V OTHER INFORMATION
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN COMPARISON
The following graph compares the total cumulative shareholder
return for $100 invested in Common Shares on December 31,
2000 with the cumulative total return of the S&P/TSX
Composite Index (formerly the TSX 300 Composite Index), for the
five most recently completed financial years.
Cumulative Value of $100 Investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Methanex
|
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
223 |
|
|
$ |
341 |
|
|
$ |
391 |
|
|
$ |
601 |
|
|
$ |
614 |
|
TSX-Total Return
|
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
77 |
|
|
$ |
97 |
|
|
$ |
111 |
|
|
$ |
137 |
|
Dividends declared on Common Shares of the Company are assumed
to be reinvested at the closing share price on the dividend
payment date.
NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID
On May 17, 2005 the Company put in place a normal course
issuer bid (the Bid) under which the Company had the
ability but not the obligation to purchase 5,917,629 of its
Common Shares being no greater than 5% of its issued and
outstanding Common Shares as at May 5, 2005. On
January 26, 2006, the Company, by notice to the TSX, sought
and received approval to amend the Bid to allow the Company to
purchase up to 11,790,217 of its Common Shares, being no greater
than 10% of its public float as at May 4, 2005. The Bid
expires on the earlier of the date that 11,790,217 Common Shares
have been purchased or May 16, 2006. As at March 3,
2006, 6,865,800 Common Shares have been purchased under the Bid.
The Company will provide to any shareholder of the Company,
without charge, a copy of the Companys notice to the TSX
upon request to the Corporate Secretary of the Company.
33
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION
PLANS
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as at December 31,
2005 with respect to compensation plans under which equity
securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities | |
|
|
remaining available for | |
|
|
Number of securities to | |
|
Weighted average | |
|
future issuance under | |
|
|
be issued upon exercise | |
|
exercise price of | |
|
equity compensation plans | |
|
|
of outstanding options, | |
|
outstanding options, | |
|
(excluding securities | |
|
|
warrants and rights | |
|
warrants and rights | |
|
reflected in column (a)) | |
Plan Category |
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders
|
|
|
1,695,100 |
|
|
Cdn.$ |
14.08 |
|
|
|
348,675 |
(1) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,695,100 |
|
|
Cdn.$ |
14.08 |
|
|
|
348,675 |
|
|
|
(1) |
This information is given as at December 31, 2005 and is
without giving effect to the Stock Option Plan Amendments
described under Amendment of Incentive Stock Option
Plan. |
There is no compensation plan under which equity securities of
the Company are authorized for issuance that was adopted without
approval of securityholders.
Incentive Stock Option Plan
The Company has an Incentive Stock Option Plan (also referred to
as the Plan) pursuant to which the Board of
Directors may from time to time in its discretion grant to
officers, directors and other employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries, options to purchase unissued Common Shares.
Commencing in 2003, non-management directors ceased to be
granted options.
The following table sets out the total number of Common Shares
which may be issued from and after the date of this Circular
pursuant to options granted under the Plan, the number of Common
Shares potentially issuable pursuant to options outstanding and
unexercised under the Plan, and the remaining number of Common
Shares available to be issued pursuant to options granted from
and after the date of this Circular all before and after giving
effect to the Stock Option Plan Amendments described under
Amendment of Incentive Stock Option Plan and the
options to purchase an additional 1,667,400 Common Shares
approved by the Board of Directors on the date of this Circular,
the exercise of which options is conditional upon approval of
the Stock Option Plan Amendments.
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares available for future |
Common Shares issuable under Plan |
|
Common Shares issuable pursuant to |
|
issuance pursuant to options granted from |
from and after March 3, 2006 |
|
outstanding unexercised options |
|
and after March 3, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
Before |
|
After |
|
|
|
Before |
|
|
|
After |
|
|
|
Before |
|
|
|
After |
|
|
Amendments(1) |
|
%(2) |
|
Amendments(3) |
|
%(2) |
|
Amendments(4) |
|
% |
|
Amendments(6) |
|
% |
|
Amendments(8) |
|
% |
|
Amendments(9) |
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,918,214 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
5,250,000 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
1,558,289 |
|
|
|
1.4 (2 |
) |
|
|
3,225,689 |
|
|
|
2.9 (2 |
) |
|
|
359,925 |
|
|
|
0.3 (2 |
) |
|
|
2,024,311 |
|
|
|
1.8 (2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81.2 (5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
61.4 (7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.8 (5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
38.6 (7 |
) |
|
|
(1) |
Before giving effect to the Stock Option Plan Amendments
described under Amendment of Incentive Stock Option
Plan. |
|
(2) |
Approximate percentage of the Companys outstanding Common
Shares on a non-diluted basis as at the date of this Circular. |
|
(3) |
After giving effect to the Stock Option Plan Amendments. |
|
(4) |
Before giving effect to the options to purchase an additional
1,667,400 Common Shares approved by the Board of Directors on
March 3, 2006, the exercise of which options is conditional
upon approval of the Stock Option Plan Amendments. |
|
(5) |
Approximate percentage of the 1,918,214 total number of Common
Shares which may be issued from and after the date of this
Circular referred to in the first column. |
|
(6) |
Including the options to purchase an additional 1,667,400 Common
Shares approved by the Board of Directors on March 3, 2006,
the exercise of which options is conditional upon approval of
the Stock Option Plan Amendments. |
34
|
|
(7) |
Approximate percentage of the 5,250,000 total number of Common
Shares which may be issued from and after the date of this
Circular referred to in the third column. |
|
(8) |
Before giving effect to the Stock Option Plan Amendments or the
grant of options to purchase an additional 1,667,400 Common
Shares approved by the Board of Directors on March 3, 2006,
the exercise of which options is conditional upon approval of
the Stock Option Plan Amendments, assuming that all other
outstanding unexercised options will ultimately be exercised in
full. |
|
(9) |
After giving effect to the Stock Option Plan Amendments and the
grant of options to purchase an additional 1,667,400 Common
Shares approved by the Board of Directors on March 3, 2006,
the exercise of which options is conditional upon approval of
the Stock Option Plan Amendments, and assuming that all
outstanding unexercised options (including the March 3,
2006 options) will ultimately be exercised in full. |
The maximum number of Common Shares which may be reserved for
issuance to, or covered by any option granted to, any person may
not exceed the lower of 5% of the issued and outstanding Common
Shares or the maximum number permitted by the applicable
securities laws and regulations of Canada or of the United
States or any political subdivision of either, and the by-laws,
rules and regulations of any stock exchange or other trading
facility upon which the Common Shares are listed or traded, as
the case may be. Apart from this restriction, there is no
maximum number or percentage of securities under the Plan
available to insiders of the Company or which any one person or
company is entitled to receive under the Plan.
The exercise price for each option granted under the Plan is the
price fixed for such option by the Board which may not be less
than the fair market value of the Common Shares on the date the
option is granted. Commencing in 2002, the fair market value for
this purpose is deemed to be the US Dollar equivalent of the
closing price at which board lots of the Common Shares were
traded on the TSX on the day preceding the date on which the
option is granted or if no board lots are traded on such date
then the US Dollar equivalent of the closing price at which
board lots were traded on the most recent day upon which at
least one board lot was traded. The US Dollar equivalent is
determined by using the US Dollar/ Canadian Dollar Daily Noon
Rate as published by the Bank of Canada on the day the closing
price is established.
Subject to certain limitations contained in the Plan, options
may be granted upon and subject to such terms, conditions and
limitations as the Board may from time to time determine with
respect to each option, including terms regarding vesting. The
Common Shares subject to any option may be purchased at such
time or times after the option is granted as may be determined
by the Board. Each option expires on an expiry date no later
than ten years from the day the option was granted except that,
subject to the right of the Board in its discretion to determine
that a particular option may be exercisable during different
periods, in respect of a different amount or portion or in a
different manner:
|
|
|
|
(a) |
in the case of death of an optionee prior to the expiry date,
the option will be exercisable prior to the earlier of
(i) the date which is one year from the date of death, and
(ii) the expiry date; |
|
|
(b) |
in the case of disability or retirement of the optionee prior to
the expiry date the option shall vest immediately; and |
|
|
(c) |
if the optionee ceases, for any other reason, to be a director,
officer or employee of the Company or of a subsidiary of the
Company prior to the expiry date, the option will be exercisable
prior to the earlier of (i) the date which is 90 days
from the date the optionee ceases to be a director, officer or
employee and (ii) the expiry date. |
For each outstanding and unexercised option granted prior to
2005, other than the performance stock options described below,
50% of the options are exercisable on the first anniversary of
the date of the grant, a further 25% are exercisable on the
second anniversary of the date of the grant, and the final 25%
are exercisable on the third anniversary of the date of the
grant. Each unexercised option granted prior to 2005 expires, in
the ordinary course, ten years after the date of their grant.
For options granted in 2005 and (it is intended) in future
years, one third of the options are exercisable on the first
anniversary of the date of the grant, a further third on the
second anniversary of the date of the grant and the final third
are exercisable on the third anniversary of the date of the
grant. Options granted in 2005 and (it is intended) in future
years, if unexercised, expire, in the ordinary course, seven
years after the date of their grant.
With respect to executive officers who have Employment
Agreements, in the event of a Change of Control, any option
granted prior to the change of control, that is not then
exercisable, becomes exercisable immediately prior to such
change of control. Furthermore, unexercised options may be
exercised up to their stated expiry date provided that nothing
shall preclude the compulsory acquisition of such options at
their fair market value in the event of a going private
transaction effected pursuant to the amalgamation, arrangement
or compulsory acquisition provisions of the CBCA or successor
legislation thereto. No option may be transferable or assignable
otherwise than by will or the laws of succession and
distribution.
35
In September 1999 performance stock options were
granted to all executive officers and certain other key
employees of the Company. The performance stock options were
granted at a price of $4.47, the closing price of the Common
Shares on the TSX on the day before the day of the grant. The
vesting of the performance stock options is tied to the market
value of the Common Shares after October 1, 2002. One third
of the options vest if, after that date, the Common Shares trade
at or above $10, a further one-third vest if the Common Shares
trade at or above $15 and the options are fully vested if the
Common Shares trade at or above $20. All performance stock
options are now exercisable. Performance stock options expire on
September 9, 2009.
The Plan provides that the Board of Directors may at any time
amend any of the provisions of the Plan subject to obtaining any
required approval of appropriate stock exchanges or other
regulatory authorities. TSX and Nasdaq requirements require
shareholder approval for certain material amendments to the Plan.
In March 2005, the Company amended the Plan to clarify that
options may be granted under the Plan to employees and directors
of subsidiaries of the Company that are majority-owned
subsidiaries. An example would be employees of Atlas Methanol
Company who are employed at the new Atlas facility in Trinidad.
The Company has a 63.1% interest in Atlas and BP owns the
remaining 36.9%. The amendment was accepted by the TSX without
requiring security holder approval nor was such approval
required by the Nasdaq based on their rules which allow the
Company to follow its home country practice.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder proposals to be considered at the 2007 annual
general meeting of shareholders of the Company must be received
at the principal executive offices of the Company no later than
December 27, 2006 to be included in the information
circular and form of proxy for such annual meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company is on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and at the Companys website at
www.methanex.com. Financial information is provided in
the Companys comparative financial statements and
Managements Discussion and Analysis for the most recently
completed financial year.
The Company will provide to any person or company, without
charge to any security holder of the Company, upon request to
the Corporate Secretary of the Company, copies of the
Companys Annual Information Form together with a copy of
any document (or the pertinent pages of any document)
incorporated therein by reference, the Companys
comparative consolidated financial statements and
Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)
for the year ended December 31, 2005 together with the
accompanying auditors report and any interim consolidated
financial statements of the Company that have been filed for any
period after the end of the Companys most recently
completed financial year, and the Companys Information
Circular in respect of the Meeting to be held on May 9,
2006.
If a registered holder or beneficial owner of the
Companys securities, other than debt instruments, requests
the Companys annual or interim financial statements or
MD&A, the Company will send a copy of the requested
financial statements and MD&A (provided it was filed less
than two years before the Company receives the request) to the
person or company that made the request, without charge.
Pursuant to National Instrument 51-102, the Company is required
to send a request form to registered holders and beneficial
owners of the Companys securities, other than debt
securities, that such registered holders and beneficial owners
may use to request a copy of the Companys annual financial
statements and MD&A, interim financial statements and
MD&A, or both. Registered holders and beneficial owners
should review the request form carefully. In particular,
registered holders and beneficial owners should note that, under
applicable Canadian securities laws, the Company is only
required to deliver financial statements and MD&A to a
person or company that requests them. Failing to return a
request form or otherwise specifically request a copy of the
financial statements or MD&A from the Company may result in
a registered holder or beneficial owner not being sent these
documents. Copies of these documents can also be found at
www.sedar.com and the Companys website at
www.methanex.com.
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APPROVAL BY DIRECTORS
The contents and the sending of this Information Circular have
been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia this 3rd day of March,
2006.
(signed) Randy Milner
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
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SCHEDULE A
Text of Resolution Ratifying and Approving Amendments to the
Incentive Stock Option Plan
BE IT RESOLVED, as an ordinary resolution, that the Stock Option
Plan Amendments to the Incentive Stock Option Plan, as set forth
in the Amended Incentive Stock Option Plan tabled at the meeting
and otherwise described in the Information Circular of the
Company dated March 3, 2006, are hereby ratified, confirmed
and approved.
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SCHEDULE B
METHANEX CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1. OBJECT OF THESE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
PRINCIPLES
The Board of Directors of Methanex Corporation (the
Company) has adopted these Corporate Governance
Principles as it is responsible for providing the foundation for
a system of principled goal-setting, effective decision-making
and ethical actions, with the objective of establishing a vital
corporate entity that provides value to the Companys
shareholders.
2. CODE OF ETHICS
All directors, officers and employees are expected to display
the highest standard of ethics. The Company has a Code of
Business Conduct to establish guidelines for ethical and good
business conduct by directors, officers, and employees and the
Code shall include guidance regarding conflicts of interest,
protection and proper use of corporate assets and opportunities,
confidentiality, fair dealing with third parties, compliance
with laws and the reporting of illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Board, through the Corporate Governance Committee, shall
monitor compliance with the Code and annually review the
Codes contents.
3. BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
The business of the Company is conducted by its employees,
managers and officers, under the direction of the President and
Chief Executive Officer (the CEO) and the
stewardship and supervision of the Board of Directors.
The Board oversees and provides policy guidance on the business
and affairs of the Company. In particular, the Board monitors
overall corporate performance, oversees succession planning for
and performance of executive officers including the appointment
and performance of the CEO, adopts a strategic planning process
and approves, at least annually, a strategic plan, evaluates the
integrity of the Companys internal control, information
and other management systems, identifies and oversees the
implementation of systems to manage the principal risks of the
Companys business and oversees the implementation of a
communication policy for the Company. To the extent feasible,
the Board shall also satisfy itself as to the integrity of the
CEO and other executive officers and that the CEO and executive
officers create a culture of integrity throughout
the organization.
4. DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Act in best interests
The primary responsibility of each director is to:
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act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest
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exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent
person would exercise in comparable circumstances. |
Participation
Directors are expected to prepare for, attend, and participate
in meetings of the Board and the committees of which they are
members. Directors will maintain the confidentiality of the
deliberations and decisions of the Board and information
received at meetings, except as may be specified by the Chairman
or if the information is publicly disclosed by the Company.
Performance
Performance as a director is the main criterion for determining
a directors on-going service on the Board. To assist in
determining performance, each director will take part in an
annual performance evaluation process which shall include a
self-evaluation and a confidential discussion with
the Chairman.
Ongoing education
Directors are encouraged to attend seminars, conferences, and
other continuing education programs to help ensure that they
stay current on relevant issues such as corporate governance,
financial and accounting practices and corporate ethics. From
time to time, the Corporation will arrange for site visits and
other special presentations intended to deepen the
directors familiarity with the Company and
its affairs.
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5. BOARD LEADERSHIP
Selection of Chairman and CEO
The Board elects its Chairman and appoints the Companys
CEO. As a general principle, the Board believes that the
Chairman and the CEO should not be the same person.
Lead independent director
The independent directors on the Board (please refer to
Schedule A for definition of independent director) may
select from among themselves a Lead Independent Director. The
Lead Independent Director chairs regular meetings of the
independent directors and assumes other responsibilities
described in the Terms of Reference for the Lead Independent
Director or which the Corporate Governance Committee
may designate.
6. BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Criteria for Board membership
The Corporate Governance Committee will review each year the
credentials of candidates to be considered for nomination to the
Board. The objective of this review will be to maintain a
composition of the Board which provides a satisfactory mix of
skills and experience. This review will include taking into
account the desirability of maintaining a reasonable diversity
of personal characteristics but maintaining common
characteristics such as personal integrity, achievement in
individual fields of expertise and a willingness to devote
necessary time to Board matters. The Board expects that the
Corporate Governance Committee will take action to effect
changes in incumbent directors if, in the opinion of the
Committee after discussion with the Chairman and the CEO, such
changes are deemed appropriate.
New directors
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for
identifying new candidates to be recommended for election to the
Board and is also responsible for establishing criteria for the
selection of new directors and conducting all necessary
inquiries into their backgrounds and qualifications and making
recommendations to the full Board.
Orientation
The Company will provide new directors with an orientation to
the Company, its management structure and operations, the
industry in which the Company operates, and key legal,
financial, and operational issues. An information package will
be provided which will include information about the duties of
directors, the business of the Company, documents from recent
Board meetings, information regarding corporate governance and
the structure and procedures of the Board and its committees.
New directors will also be provided with an opportunity to meet
senior management and other directors and to tour the
Companys operations.
Board composition
The Companys By-laws provide for the directors to
establish the number of directors to sit on the Board within a
broad minimum/ maximum range. The directors are to determine a
size of Board large enough to provide a diversity of expertise
and opinion, yet small enough to allow for efficient operation
and decision-making. The Corporate Governance Committee annually
reviews the size of the Board and recommends any changes it
determines appropriate. The Board is to be composed of a
substantial majority of independent directors.
Directors who change their present occupation
Directors who retire or otherwise leave or change the position
they held when they first were appointed to the Board should not
necessarily leave the Board. In this circumstance, the Corporate
Governance Committee shall review the appropriateness of a
directors continued service on the Board. When continued
service does not appear appropriate, the director may be asked
to stand down.
Term limits
The Directors are elected by the shareholders at every Annual
General Meeting. The term of office of each director shall
expire at the close of the Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders following that at which he or she was elected.
Cumulative term limits for directors should not be established
as this could have the effect of forcing directors off the Board
who have gained a deep and detailed knowledge of the
companys operations and business affairs. At the
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same time, the value of some turnover in Board membership to
provide an ongoing input of fresh ideas and new knowledge is
recognized. The Corporate Governance Committee shall review
annually the membership of the Board to enable the Board to
manage its overall composition and maintain a balance of
directors to ensure long-term continuity.
Other Board memberships
Whether service on other boards is likely to interfere with the
performance of a directors duties to the Company depends
on the individual and the nature of their other activities. The
Board believes that the commitment required for effective
membership on the Companys Board is such that directors
are to consult with the Chairman and the Chair of the Corporate
Governance Committee prior to accepting an invitation to serve
on another board.
7. BOARD COMPENSATION
Directors are required to devote significant time and energy to
the performance of their duties. To attract and retain able and
experienced directors, they are to be compensated competitively.
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing
the compensation and benefits of directors and making a
recommendation to the Board. Directors who are employees of the
Company receive no additional compensation for service on
the Board.
Director compensation consists of cash and share-based long-term
incentives. The cash portion may be comprised of an annual
retainer, meeting fees and supplemental fees for committee
chairs. The long-term incentives will normally be structured so
as to vest over time because time-based vesting assists in
retaining the continued services of directors and aligning their
actions with long-term shareholder interests.
8. SHARE OWNERSHIP
The Company shall establish guidelines for Company stock
ownership by directors, executive officers and other managers of
the Company as such guidelines help to more closely align their
economic interests with those of other stockholders.
9. ASSESSING THE BOARDS PERFORMANCE
The Board and each Board committee will conduct an annual
self-evaluation. The Corporate Governance Committee is
responsible for overseeing these evaluations and reporting their
results to the Board. The purpose of these reviews is to
contribute to a process of continuous improvement in the
execution of the responsibilities of the Board and
its committees.
All directors are encouraged to make suggestions on improving
the practices of the Board and its committees at any time and
direct those suggestions to the Chairman or the appropriate
committee chair.
10. BOARDS INTERACTION WITH STAKEHOLDERS
It is the function of management to speak for the Company in its
communications with the investment community, the media,
customers, suppliers, employees, governments and the general
public and the Board shall ensure that the Company has systems
in place to receive feedback from stakeholders. If comments from
the Board are appropriate, they should, in most circumstances,
come from the Chairman. If shareholders or other stakeholders
communicate with the Chairman or other directors, management
will be informed and consulted to determine the appropriate
response.
11. MEETING PROCEDURES
Scheduling of Board meetings and selection of
agenda items
The Board normally holds five regular Board meetings each year.
The Chairman and the CEO, in consultation with the Corporate
Secretary, develops the agenda for each Board meeting. Directors
are encouraged to suggest items they would like to have
considered for the meeting agenda.
Board materials distributed in advance
Information supporting Board meeting agenda items is to be
provided to directors approximately seven days before the
meeting. Such materials should focus attention on the critical
issues to be considered by the Board.
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Non-directors at Board meetings
The Chairman shall ensure those Company officers and other
members of management who attend Board meetings (1) can
provide insight into the matters being discussed and/or
(2) are individuals with high potential who the directors
should have the opportunity to meet and evaluate. Management
should consult with the Chairman if it proposes that any outside
advisors attend a Board meeting.
Sessions of independent directors
Every Board meeting shall be accompanied by an independent
directors session at which no executive directors or other
members of management are present. The object of the session is
to ensure free and open discussion and communication among the
non-executive, independent directors. The Lead Independent
Director shall chair such meetings and regularly advise the
Chair of the business of such meetings.
12. COMMITTEE MATTERS
Committee structure
The Board, through the Corporate Governance Committee, shall
constitute such committees as it determines necessary and as may
be required by law. Each committee will have its own mandate
which shall set forth the committees responsibilities,
structure and procedure.
The current committee structure and the performance of each
committee is to be reviewed annually by the Corporate Governance
Committee.
Assignment of directors to committees
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for proposing
to the Board the chair and members of each committee on an
annual basis. In preparing its recommendations, the Committee
will consult with the Chairman and the CEO and take into account
the preferences of the individual directors.
Committee assignments should be based on the directors
knowledge, interests and areas of expertise. The Board believes
experience and continuity are more important than rotation and
that Directors should only be rotated if doing so is likely to
improve Committee performance or facilitate the work of
the Committee.
Frequency and length of committee meetings
Each committee chair will develop that committees meeting
agenda through consultation with members of the committee,
management and the Corporate Secretary. The chair of each
committee will determine the schedule of meetings of that
committee based upon an annual work plan designed to discharge
the responsibilities of the committee as set out in
its mandate.
13. BOARD RELATIONSHIP TO SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Directors have complete access to the Companys senior
management. Written communications from directors to members of
management will be copied to the Chairman and the CEO.
The Board also encourages directors to make themselves available
for consultation with management outside Board meetings in order
to provide counsel on subjects where such directors have special
knowledge and experience.
14. ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND ENGAGEMENT
OF ADVISORS
The Board and each committee shall have the resources and
authority appropriate to discharge their duties and
responsibilities. This shall include the power to hire outside
advisors without consulting or obtaining the approval of
management in advance. Any individual director who wishes to
engage an outside advisor should review the request with
the Chairman.
15. EVALUATION AND SUCCESSION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Performance evaluation of the CEO
The Board, through the Human Resources Committee, will annually
review the CEOs performance as measured against mutually
agreed goals and objectives. This review will also be used in
establishing the CEOs annual compensation.
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Performance evaluation and succession planning of
executive officers
The Board, through the Human Resources Committee, will annually
review the performance and compensation packages of the officers
of the Company who report directly to the CEO and any other
officers whose compensation is required to be publicly disclosed
and will also annually review the succession plan for the CEO
and the executive officers.
16. REVIEW OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES
The Corporate Governance Committee shall review these Corporate
Governance Principles annually and report to the Board any
recommendations it may have for their amendment.
Schedule A to the Methanex Corporate Governance
Principles
An independent director is a person other than an
officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or any
other individual having a direct or indirect relationship with
the Company or any of its subsidiaries which could in the view
of the Board of Directors, be reasonably expected to interfere
with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the
responsibilities of a director, provided however that persons
who fall within any of the categories set out below will be
deemed not to be independent.
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a director who is, or at any time during the past three years
has been, an employee or executive officer of the Company, its
parent or any subsidiary of the Company; |
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a director who received or has a family member
(which is defined to include a persons spouse, parents,
children and siblings, mother or father-in-law, sons and
daughters-in-law, brother or sister-in-law, whether by blood,
marriage or adoption, or anyone other than a domestic employee
residing in such persons home) who received payments from
the Company, its parent or any subsidiary of the Company, of
more than CDN$75,000 in direct compensation or more than
US$60,000 in payments during any 12 month period within the
last three years, other than compensation for board or committee
service or as part-time chair or vice-chair of the Board or any
Board committee, payments arising solely from investments in the
Companys securities, compensation paid to a family member
who is a non-executive employee of the Company, its parent or a
subsidiary of the Company, fixed amounts of compensation under a
retirement plan (including deferred compensation) for prior
service if the compensation is not contingent in any way on
continued service; |
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a director who is a family member of an individual who is, or
has been in any of the past three years, employed by the
Company, its parent or by any subsidiary of the Company as an
executive officer; |
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a director who is, or has a family member who is, a partner in,
or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, any
entity or organization to which the Company made, or from which
the Company received, payments (other than those arising solely
from investments in the Companys securities and payments
under non-discretionary charitable contribution matching
programs) for property or services in the current or any of the
past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipients
consolidated gross revenues for that year, or US$200,000,
whichever is more; |
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a director who is or has been, or has a family member who is or
has been, employed as an executive officer of another entity at
any time during the past three years where any of the
Companys executives or officers serve on the compensation
committee of that other entity; and |
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a director who is, or has a family member who is, a current
partner of the firm that is the Companys internal or
external auditor or a director who is an employee of such firm
or has a family member who is an employee of that firm and who
participates in its audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not
tax planning) practice or a director who was, or has a family
member who was, at any time during the past three years a
partner or employee of that firm and personally worked on the
audit of the Company within that time. |
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Beneficial Owner
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METHANEX CORPORATION
REQUEST FOR ANNUAL AND INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND MD&A
National
Instrument 51-102
Continuous Disclosure Obligations
(NI 51-102)
requires that Methanex Corporation (the Corporation)
send annually a request form to registered holders and
beneficial owners of its securities, other than debt
instruments, that the registered holders and beneficial owners
may use to request a copy of the Corporations annual
financial statements and Managements Discussion &
Analysis form (MD&A) for the annual financial
statements and the interim financial statements and MD&A for
the interim financial statements, or both. Under
NI 51-102 the
Corporation is only required to deliver financial statements and
MD&A to a person or company that requests them. If you wish
to receive the Corporations annual financial statements
and annual MD&A or interim financial statements and interim
MD&A, you should complete the Return Form (the Return
Form) on the last page hereof. Please forward the
completed Return Form to the Corporations registrar and
transfer agent at the following address: or submit your request
online at www.cibcmellon.com/ FinancialStatements. Our
Company Code Number is 5532A.
CIBC Mellon Trust Company
Suite 1600, 1066 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 3X1
The applicable financial statements and MD&A will be sent,
without charge, to the person that made the request. If any
beneficial owner does not so request such documents, such owner
may not be sent these documents. The Corporation reserves the
right, in its discretion, to send annual financial statements
and MD&A, or any interim financial statements and MD&A,
to all beneficial owners who are identified under
NI 54-101 as
having chosen to receive securityholder materials sent to
beneficial owners of securities, notwithstanding elections such
beneficial owners may make under the Request Form.
The requirements under
NI 51-102
regarding delivery of financial statements and MD&A are in
addition to and separate from the procedures regarding delivery
of materials pursuant to National
Instrument 54-101
Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a
Reporting Issuer
(NI 54-101).
However, failure to return the Return Form or otherwise
specifically request a copy of financial statements or MD&A
will override a beneficial owners standing instructions
under NI 54-101 in
respect of such financial statements and MD&A.
NI 51-102 requires
that this request form must be sent to beneficial owners of
securities who are identified under
NI 54-101 as
having chosen to receive all securityholder materials sent to
beneficial owners. As a result, beneficial owners that have been
instructed their intermediary to not forward annual
meeting materials distributed by the Corporation may not receive
this election form.
Please note that only beneficial owners of the
Corporations securities should return the Return Form. If
you are a registered holder of the Corporations securities
you should review the separate Request for Annual and Interim
Financial Statements and MD&A which is applicable to
registered holders and complete the Return Form on the last page
thereof. (For the purposes hereof registered holders
refers to persons with securities registered in their name (and,
in the case of securities which are registered in the name of a
depository, as defined in
NI 54-101,
includes a person that is a participant in a
depository, as defined in that Instrument) and
beneficial owner refers to a person or company that
beneficially owns securities that are not registered in his or
her name, which are held by an intermediary, as
defined in
NI 54-101, (such
as a broker or trust company), that is the person or company
that is identified as providing instructions contained in a
client response form provided pursuant to
NI 54-101 or, if
no instructions are provided, the person or company that has the
authority to provide those instructions).
If you are a beneficial owner, you may wish to provide a copy of
the Return Form to the intermediary through which your
securities are held, or, if you wish, make arrangements for such
intermediary to return the Return Form on your behalf. The
Corporation is only required to deliver financial statements and
MD&A to the person or company that requests them. As a
result, if a beneficial owner requests financial statements and
MD&A through an intermediary, the Corporation is only
required to deliver the requested documents to the intermediary.
The request to receive financial statements and MD&A
pursuant to the Return Form shall be considered applicable to
the Corporations annual financial statements and MD&A
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 and all
interim financial statements and MD&A which the Corporation
may send to securityholders after the sending of this request
form and prior to the Corporation sending proxy-related
materials in a subsequent year. Beneficial owners that wish to
receive either Annual Financial Statements and MD&A or
Interim Financial Statements and MD&A must return a Return
Form or otherwise specifically request a copy of the financial
statements and MD&A each year to receive such documents
thereafter. If you wish to receive copies of financial
statements or MD&A for any earlier period, you should send a
separate request specifying the requested financial statements
and MD&A. The Corporation is not required to send copies of
the financial statements and MD&A that was filed more than
two years before it receives such request. A copy of the
Corporations financial statements and MD&A may be
accessed under the Corporations profile at
www.sedar.com.
Beneficial Owner
(BENEFICIAL OWNERS SHOULD COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM)
RETURN FORM
METHANEX CORPORATION
The undersigned:
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(a)
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hereby requests that the undersigned be sent a copy of the
Annual Financial
Statements(1)
and MD&A for such statements |
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[check this box if you wish to elect to RECEIVE the Annual
Financial
Statements(1)
and MD&A relating to such statements] |
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(b)
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hereby requests that the undersigned be sent a copy of the
Interim Financial
Statements(2)
and MD&A for such statements |
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[check this box if you wish to elect to RECEIVE the Interim
Financial
Statements(2)
and MD&A relating to such statements] |
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The undersigned certifies that the undersigned is a beneficial
owner of securities of the Corporation (other than debt
instruments). The undersigned acknowledges that this request
shall expire and cease to have effect if the undersigned ceases
to be either a registered holder or beneficial owner of
securities of the Corporation.
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Name(3):
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Address(4):
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Signature(5):
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Date:
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Name & title of person signing if different from
name above: |
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Name and address of intermediary through which securities are
held (if
applicable)(6): |
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We encourage you to submit your request online at
www.cibcmellon.com/ FinancialStatements. Our Company Code
Number is 5532A.
NOTE: Do not return this card by mail if you have submitted your
request online.
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For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. |
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Refers to Interim Financial Statements and MD&A issued after
the sending of this form and before the sending of proxy-related
materials in 2007. |
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(3) |
Please print clearly. |
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(4) |
Insert the address, including postal or zip code to which you
wish the financial statements and MD&A to be sent. If you
wish the documents to be sent to an intermediary through which
you hold the securities, provide the name and address of the
intermediary. |
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If beneficial owner is not an individual, signature of
authorized signatory. |
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If Securities are held through an intermediary, but you wish the
financial statements and MD&A to be sent to you, provide
this information so that the Company can coordinate with the
intermediary, if necessary. If you are an objecting beneficial
owner, or OBO, as defined in
NI 54-101, and you
wish the financial statements and MD&A to be sent to you
through the intermediary that holds securities on your behalf,
you should arrange for the intermediary to arrange to request
the documents on your behalf. |
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Registered Holder
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METHANEX CORPORATION
REQUEST FOR ANNUAL AND INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND MD&A
National
Instrument 51-102
Continuous Disclosure Obligations
(NI 51-102)
requires that Methanex Corporation (the Corporation)
send annually a request form to registered holders and
beneficial owners of its securities, other than debt
instruments, that the registered holders and beneficial owners
may use to request a copy of the Corporations annual
financial statements and Managements Discussion &
Analysis form (MD&A) for the annual financial
statements and the interim financial statements and MD&A for
the interim financial statements, or both. Under
NI 51-102 the
Corporation is only required to deliver financial statements and
MD&A to a person or company that requests them. If you wish
to receive the Corporations interim financial statements
and interim MD&A, you should complete the Return Form (the
Return Form) on the last page hereof. Please forward
the completed Return Form to the Corporations registrar
and transfer agent at the following address or submit your
request online at www.cibcmellon.com/
FinancialStatements. Our Company code Number is 5532.
CIBC Mellon Trust Company
Suite 1600, 1066 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 3X1
In addition to the requirements of
NI 51-102,
pursuant to the requirements of the Canada Business
Corporations Act (the CBCA), the Corporation
must send a copy of its annual financial statements to each
registered shareholder, except to a shareholder who has informed
the Corporation in writing that he or she does not want a copy
of such statements. If you are a registered shareholder
and do NOT want to receive a copy of the Corporations
annual financial statements and annual MD&A
(collectively, the Annual Financial Statements and
MD&A), you should complete the box in
paragraph (a) on the Return Form. Registered holders that
do not complete that box will continue to be sent the annual
financial statements as required pursuant to the CBCA, as well
as the annual MD&A.
Whether or not you are electing in paragraph (a) of
the Return Form not to receive a copy of the Annual Financial
Statements & MD&A, if you wish to receive the
Corporations interim financial statements and interim
MD&A (collectively, the Interim Financial Statements
and MD&A) you should complete paragraph (c) of
the Return Form.
The applicable financial statements and MD&A will be sent,
without charge, to the person that made the request. If any
registered holder does not so request such documents, such
holder may not be sent these documents. The Corporation reserves
the right, in its discretion, to send annual financial
statements and MD&A to all registered holders,
notwithstanding elections which such holders may make under the
Request Form.
Please note that only registered holders of the
Corporations securities should return the Return Form. If
you are a beneficial owner of the Corporations securities
but not a registered holder, you should review the separate
Request for Annual and Interim Financial Statements and MD&A
which is applicable to beneficial owners and complete the Return
Form on the last page thereof. (For the purposes of
paragraphs (b) and (c) on the Return Form registered
holders refers to persons with securities registered in
their name (and, in the case of securities which are registered
in the name of a depository, as defined in
NI 54-101, includes a person that is a participant in
a depository, as defined in that Instrument).
Registered holders that have informed the Corporation pursuant
to paragraph (a) on the Return Form that they do not want
to receive a copy of the Corporations Annual Financial
Statements and MD&A who subsequently change their mind
should specifically request to receive such statements and
MD&A. Such a request received at any time will be considered
to override any prior advice that such holder does not wish to
receive such statements. The request to receive financial
statements and MD&A pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c)
on the Return Form shall be considered applicable to the
Corporations annual financial statements and MD&A for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 and all interim
financial statements and MD&A which the Corporation may send
to securityholders after the sending of this request form and
prior to the Corporation sending proxy-related materials in a
subsequent year. Registered holders that wish to receive Interim
Financial Statements and MD&A must return a Return Form or
otherwise specifically request a copy of the financial
statements or MD&A each year to receive such documents
thereafter. If you wish to receive copies of financial
statements or MD&A for any earlier period, you should send a
separate request specifying the requested financial statements
and MD&A. The Corporation is not required to send copies of
any financial statements and MD&A that was filed more than
two years before it receives such request. A copy of the
Corporations financial statements and MD&A may be
accessed under the Corporations profile at
www.sedar.com.
Registered Holder
(REGISTERED HOLDERS SHOULD COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM)
RETURN FORM
METHANEX CORPORATION
The undersigned:
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(a)
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hereby informs the Corporation that the undersigned does not
want a copy of the Annual Financial
Statements(1) &
MD&A for such statements |
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o
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[only check this box if you wish to elect NOT to receive the
Annual Financial Statements
(1)
and MD&A relating to such statements] |
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(b)
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hereby requests that the undersigned be sent a copy of the
Annual Financial Statements
(1)
and MD&A for such statements |
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o
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[check this box if you wish to elect to RECEIVE the Annual
Financial
Statements(1)
and MD&A relating to such
statements(2)] |
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(c)
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hereby requests that the undersigned be sent a copy of the
Interim Financial Statements
(3)
and MD&A for such statements |
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o
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[check this box if you wish to elect to RECEIVE the Interim
Financial
Statements(3)
and MD&A relating to such statements] |
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The undersigned certifies that the undersigned is a registered
holder of securities of the Corporation (other than debt
instruments). The undersigned acknowledges that this request
shall expire and cease to have effect if the undersigned ceases
to be either a registered holder or beneficial owner of
securities of the Corporation.
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Name(4):
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Address(5):
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Signature(6):
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Date:
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Name & title of person signing if different from
name above: |
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We encourage you to submit your request online at
www.cibcmellon.com/ FinancialStatements. Our Company Code
Number is 5532.
NOTE: Do not return this card by mail if you have submitted your
request online.
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(1) |
For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. |
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(2) |
Registered holders will continue to be sent Annual Financial
Statements and MD&A whether or not this paragraph is
completed unless the holder has informed the Corporation in
writing that he or she does not want a copy of such statements. |
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(3) |
Refers to interim financial statements and MD&A issued after
the sending of this form and before the sending of proxy-related
materials in 2007. |
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(4) |
Please print clearly. |
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(5) |
Insert the address, including postal or zip code to which you
wish the financial statements and MD&A to be sent. |
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(6) |
If registered holder is not an individual, signature of an
authorized signatory. |
SEE REVERSE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION
RELATING TO VOTING ESPP SHARES
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
TO
M.R.S. TRUST COMPANY
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
METHANEX CORPORATION
TO BE HELD ON MAY 9, 2006
AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENT OR ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF
I,
,
a participant in the Methanex Corporation Share Purchase Plan
for Employees (hereinafter referred to as the Plan),
hereby instruct M.R.S. Trust Company, as Trustee of the Plan, to
exercise at the above meeting, or give or grant a proxy to any
person which M.R.S. Trust Company may select, to exercise, with
full power of substitution, the voting rights pertaining to all
the Common Shares of the Company held to my credit as follows:
Indicate your voting choice with a check mark
(ü) in the appropriate box.
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1. |
To elect the following persons as directors of the Company to
hold office until the sooner of the next annual general meeting
of the Company or their ceasing to hold office: |
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VOTE |
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WITHHOLD |
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FOR |
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VOTE |
Bruce Aitken
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o
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o
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Howard Balloch
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o
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o
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Pierre Choquette
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o
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o
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Phillip C. Cook
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o
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o
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Robert Findlay
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o
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o
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Douglas Mahaffy
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o
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o
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A. Terence Poole
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o
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o
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John Reid
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o
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o
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Janice Rennie
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o
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o
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Monica Sloan
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o
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o
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Graham Sweeney
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o
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o
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2. |
To re-appoint KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of
the Company for the ensuing year: |
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VOTE
FOR o
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WITHHOLD
VOTE o
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3. |
To vote FOR o or AGAINST
o authorizing the directors
to fix the remuneration of the auditors. |
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4. |
To vote FOR o or AGAINST
o an ordinary resolution to
ratify and approve certain amendments to the Companys
Incentive Stock Option Plan, the full text of which resolution
is set out in Schedule A to the accompanying Information
Circular. |
With respect to any amendments or variations to the matters
listed above or identified in the Notice of Annual General
Meeting of Shareholders and any other matters which may properly
come before the Meeting, the undersigned confers discretionary
authority on the person voting on behalf of the undersigned to
vote in accordance with the best judgment of that person.
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Date:
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, 2006 |
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Signature of Holder |
INSTRUCTIONS:
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1. |
Record your instructions, sign and mail to GRS Securities Inc.
in the attached envelope. Alternately, your instructions may be
faxed using the following numbers: |
If faxing from North
America: 1-800-567-3351
If faxing from outside
North America: 519-850-4157
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2. |
If you do not wish to specifically instruct the Trustee how to
vote or refrain from voting as the case may be, you should not
check any of the above squares. If no specific voting choice
has been given for an item, the Trustee or its proxy will vote
the shares represented by this Voting Instruction FOR that
item. |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE
METHANEX CORPORATION SHARE PURCHASE PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES
Common shares purchased by an employee of the Company under the
Methanex Corporation Share Purchase Plan for Employees
(ESPP) remain registered in the name of M.R.S. Trust
Company as Trustee of the ESPP, unless the employee withdraws
their shares from the ESPP. Once withdrawn, the shares may
either become registered in the name of the employee or an
intermediary. (For more information, see Part I
VOTING contained in the Information Circular.)
Voting rights attached to ESPP shares which remain registered in
the name of M.R.S. Trust Company may be exercised by employees
or their attorneys authorized in writing, by indicating on the
Voting Instructions form (on reverse) the necessary directions
to GRS Securities on behalf of the Trustee how the ESPP shares
are to be voted at the Meeting and returning the Voting
Instructions form in the pre-paid envelope or by fax to GRS
Securities Inc. at the fax number indicated below. The ESPP
shares will then be voted pursuant to those directions. If no
choice is specified for an item, the ESPP shares will be voted
in favour of managements propositions. The shares will be
voted at the discretion of M.R.S. Trust Company or its proxy in
respect of amendments to managements propositions or such
other business as may be properly brought before the Meeting.
Only ESPP shares in respect of which a Voting Instructions form
has been signed and returned will be voted.
As your vote is important, your Voting Instruction Form should
be received at least three business days prior to the deadline
for deposit of proxies stated in the Information Circular.
A holder of ESPP shares may revoke his or her directions
indicated on the Voting Instructions form at any time by a
written document executed by the employee or his or her attorney
duly authorized in writing which is delivered by mail or fax to
GRS Securities Inc. (fax numbers set out below) at any time up
to and including the last business day preceding the day of the
Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Voting Instructions form is to be used only with respect to
ESPP shares. If an employee holds shares outside the ESPP, the
employee may vote those shares either in person or by proxy as
described in Part I VOTING of the
Information Circular.
Questions?
If you have any questions concerning the process of voting ESPP
shares, you may speak to a GRS Securities Inc. Customer Service
Representative, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST on weekdays:
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If calling from North America:
1-800-668-2648 |
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If calling from outside North America: 800-668-26480 |
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Callers from Chile, please call collect: 519-432-5281,
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST on weekdays |
Faxing of Voting Instructions
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Voting Instructions may be faxed to GRS Securities Inc.
(Attention: Monitoring Officer FST1) using the
following numbers: |
If faxing from North America:
1-800-567-3351
If faxing from outside North America: 519-850-4157
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METHANEX CORPORATION |
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REQUEST FOR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND PROXY |
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Management of Methanex Corporation (the Company) is
sending to certain non-registered shareholders proxy-related
materials that relate to the Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 9, 2006. The name and
address and information about such non-registered
shareholders holdings of securities have been obtained in
accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements
from the intermediary holding on their behalf (which is
identified by name, code or identifier in the information on the
right). |
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Unless the non-registered shareholder attends the meeting and
votes in person, such holders securities can be voted only
by management, as proxy holder of the registered holder, in
accordance with such non-registered shareholders
instructions. |
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Management of the Company has executed an omnibus legal proxy
appointing non-objecting beneficial owners
(NOBOs) as proxy holders to vote the shares
beneficially held by them. Should a NOBO wish to attend the
meeting and vote in person, such omnibus legal proxy will permit
them to do so. If a NOBO wishes to designate another person to
attend and vote at the meeting on their behalf, they may
complete and submit this form appointing someone else as proxy
holder. |
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Management of the Company are prohibited from voting the
securities held by a NOBO on any of the matters to be acted upon
at the meeting without the NOBOs specific voting
instructions. As a result, if a NOBO is completing this form
to appoint someone to attend the meeting as proxy holder and
Mr. Choquette or Mr. Aitken have been appointed as
proxy holder, in order for the NOBOs shares to be voted at
the meeting, it will be necessary for the NOBO to provide
specific voting instructions. |
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The undersigned beneficial owner of Common Shares of the Company
hereby appoints Pierre Choquette, Chairman of the Board of the
Company, or failing him, Bruce Aitken, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, or instead of either of them |
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the true and lawful proxy of the undersigned to attend, act and
vote all the shares of the Company which the undersigned may be
entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
of the Company (the Meeting), to be held on
May 9, 2006, notice of which Meeting has been received by
the undersigned, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof,
and at every poll which may take place in consequence thereof
with full power of substitution and with all the powers which
the undersigned could exercise if personally present: |
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Indicate your voting choice with a check mark
(ü) in the appropriate box.
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1. |
To elect the following persons as directors of the Company to
hold office until the sooner of the next annual general meeting
of the Company or their ceasing to hold office: |
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VOTE FOR |
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WITHHOLD VOTE |
Bruce Aitken
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o |
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o |
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Howard Balloch
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o |
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o |
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Pierre Choquette
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o |
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o |
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Phillip C. Cook
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o |
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o |
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Robert Findlay
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o |
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o |
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Douglas Mahaffy
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o |
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o |
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A. Terence Poole
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o |
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o |
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John Reid
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o |
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o |
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Janice Rennie
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o |
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o |
|
Monica Sloan
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o |
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o |
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Graham Sweeney
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o |
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o |
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2. |
To re-appoint KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of
the Company for the ensuing year: |
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VOTE
FOR o
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WITHHOLD VOTE o
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3. |
To vote FOR o or AGAINST
o authorizing the directors
to fix the remuneration of the auditors. |
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4. |
To vote FOR o or AGAINST
o an ordinary resolution to
ratify and approve certain amendments to the Companys
Incentive Stock Option Plan, the full text of which resolution
is set out in Schedule A to the accompanying Information
Circular. |
Subject to the discussion above, the person exercising this
proxy has discretionary authority and may vote the shares
represented hereby as such person considers best with respect to
amendments or variations to the matters identified in the Notice
of Meeting or other matters which may properly come before the
Meeting where such amendments, variations or matters were not
known to management of the Company a reasonable time prior to
the solicitation of this proxy.
All shares represented at the Meeting by properly executed
proxies will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with
the instructions of the undersigned on any ballot that may be
called for, and where a choice with respect to any matter to be
acted upon has been specified in the proxy, the shares
represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with such
specifications.
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given and
does further hereby ratify all that said proxy may lawfully do
in the premises.
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Date: ,
2006
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Print Name |
Number of Common Shares held:
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Signature of Holder |
NOTES
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(a) |
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The proxy must be signed by the beneficial owner of Common
Shares or the holders attorney duly authorized in writing
and the power of attorney need not be attached. Where the holder
is a corporation, the proxy must be executed under its corporate
seal or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized and
should set out the full legal name of the corporation, the name
and position of the person executing and the address for service
of the corporation. |
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(b) |
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The proxy must be delivered to CIBC Mellon Trust Company not
less than 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays) prior to the time fixed for the commencement of the
Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please use the envelope
accompanying these materials or mail the proxy to Proxy Dept.,
CIBC Mellon Trust Company, #6, 200 Queens Quay East,
Toronto, ON Canada M5A 4K9 or faxed to (416) 368-2502. |
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(c) |
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A holder of Common Shares has the right to appoint a person (who
need not be a holder of Common Shares) other than those persons
named above to represent him, her or it at the Meeting and may
exercise this right by inserting the name of such person in the
blank space provided above. |
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(d) |
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If the proxy is undated, it will be deemed to be dated the date
it was mailed to the holder. |
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(e) |
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By providing this proxy, you are acknowledging that you are the
beneficial owner of, and are entitled to instruct the proxy
holders with respect to the voting of, these securities. |
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METHANEX CORPORATION |
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PROXY |
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF MANAGEMENT |
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FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS |
|
TO BE HELD ON MAY 9, 2006 |
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The undersigned holder of Common Shares of Methanex Corporation
(hereinafter called the Company) hereby appoints
Pierre Choquette, Chairman of the Board of the Company, or
failing him, Bruce Aitken, President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company, or instead of either of them |
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the true and lawful proxy of the undersigned to attend, act and
vote all the shares of the Company which the undersigned may be
entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
of the Company (the Meeting), to be held on
May 9, 2006, notice of which Meeting has been received by
the undersigned, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof,
and at every poll which may take place in consequence thereof
with full power of substitution and with all the powers which
the undersigned could exercise if personally present: |
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Indicate your voting choice with a check mark
(þ) in the appropriate box. |
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1. |
To elect the following persons as directors of the Company to
hold office until the sooner of the next annual general meeting
of the Company or their ceasing to hold office: |
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VOTE FOR |
|
WITHHOLD VOTE |
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Bruce Aitken
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o
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o
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Howard Balloch
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o
|
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o
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|
Pierre Choquette
|
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o
|
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o
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|
Phillip C. Cook
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|
o
|
|
o
|
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Robert Findlay
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o
|
|
o
|
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|
Douglas Mahaffy
|
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o
|
|
o
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A. Terence Poole
|
|
o
|
|
o
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John Reid
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o
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o
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Janice Rennie
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o
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o
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Monica Sloan
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o
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o
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Graham Sweeney
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o
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o
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2. |
To re-appoint KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of
the Company for the ensuing year: |
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VOTE FOR o WITHHOLD VOTE o |
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3. |
To vote FOR o or AGAINST
o authorizing the directors
to fix the remuneration of the auditors. |
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|
4. |
To vote FOR o or AGAINST
o an ordinary resolution to
ratify and approve certain amendments to the Companys
Incentive Stock Option Plan, the full text of which resolution
is set out in Schedule A to the accompanying Information
Circular. |
|
If no specific voting choice has been given for an item, the
shares represented by this proxy will be voted FOR the item.
The person exercising this proxy has discretionary authority and
may vote the shares represented hereby as such person considers
best with respect to amendments or variations to the matters
identified in the Notice of Meeting or other matters which may
properly come before the Meeting where such amendments,
variations or matters were not known to management of the
Company a reasonable time prior to the solicitation of this
proxy.
All shares represented at the Meeting by properly executed
proxies will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with
the instructions of the undersigned on any ballot that may be
called for, and where a choice with respect to any matter to be
acted upon has been specified in the proxy, the shares
represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with such
specifications.
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given and
does further hereby ratify all that said proxy may lawfully do
in the premises.
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Date: ,
2006
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Print Name |
Number of Common Shares held:
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Signature of Holder |
NOTES:
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(a) |
The proxy must be signed by the holder of Common Shares or the
holders attorney duly authorized in writing and the power
of attorney need not be attached. Where the holder is a
corporation, the proxy must be executed under its corporate seal
or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized. |
|
(b) |
The proxy must be delivered to CIBC Mellon Trust Company not
less than 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays) prior to the time fixed for the commencement of the
Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please use the envelope
accompanying these materials or mail the proxy to Proxy Dept.,
CIBC Mellon Trust Company, #6, 200 Queens Quay East,
Toronto, ON Canada M5A 4K9 or faxed to (416) 368-2502. |
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(c) |
A holder of Common Shares has the right to appoint a person (who
need not be a holder of Common Shares) other than those persons
named above to represent him, her or it at the Meeting and may
exercise this right by inserting the name of such person in the
blank space provided above. |
|
(d) |
If the proxy is undated, it will be deemed to be dated the date
it was mailed to the holder. |