UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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COUNTERPATH CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Not Applicable

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COUNTERPATH CORPORATION
Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Box 95
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V7X 1M3

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

September 24, 2020
2:00 P.M. VANCOUVER TIME

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF COUNTERPATH CORPORATION:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CounterPath Corporation (the "Company"), a Nevada corporation, will hold its annual meeting of stockholders (the "Meeting") on September 24, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) at Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7X 1M3.

The Meeting is being held for the following purposes:

1. To elect Steven Bruk, Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce, Owen Matthews, Terence Matthews and Larry Timlick, as the directors of the Company for a term expiring on the day of the 2021 Meeting of stockholders;

2. To ratify the selection of BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending April 30, 2021 and to authorize the Board of Directors to fix the remuneration of the auditors;

3. To approve, ratify and confirm the increase in the number of shares issuable under the Company's Deferred Share Unit Plan by 200,000 shares;

4. To approve an amendment to the Company's articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000;

5.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on August ♦, 2020 as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.  At the Meeting, each share of common stock represented at the meeting will be entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the Meeting.

Your attention is directed to the accompanying proxy statement and exhibits which summarize each item to be voted upon. Stockholders who do not expect to attend the Meeting in person and who are entitled to vote are requested to date, sign and return the enclosed proxy in the enclosed envelope, or via the telephone or the Internet by following the instructions provided in the enclosed proxy card, as soon as possible. To be represented at the meeting, proxies must be submitted to the Company's transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, Proxy Department, 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, or by facsimile (toll free North American facsimile: 1-866-249-7775, international facsimile: 1-416-263-9524), or, if by telephone voting, at 1-866-732-8683, or, if by Internet voting, at https://www.investorvote.com, no later than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, prior to the time of the meeting or adjournment thereof.

THE VOTE OF EACH STOCKHOLDER IS IMPORTANT.  YOU CAN VOTE YOUR SHARES BY ATTENDING THE MEETING OR BY COMPLETING AND RETURNING THE PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU.  PLEASE SUBMIT A PROXY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT YOUR SHARES CAN BE VOTED AT THE MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.  FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ON VOTING, PLEASE REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY CARD OR THE INFORMATION FORWARDED BY YOUR BROKER, BANK OR OTHER HOLDER OF RECORD.  EVEN IF YOU HAVE VOTED YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING.  PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE IN PERSON AT THE MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN FROM SUCH BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE, A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME.


BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

By:

/s/ Terence Matthews
Terence Matthews
Chairman of the Board

Dated:  August ♦, 2020


COUNTERPATH CORPORATION
Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Box 95
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V7X 1M3

PROXY STATEMENT

INFORMATION CONCERNING VOTING AND SOLICITATION

General

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of our Board of Directors (the "Board") for use at the annual meeting of stockholders (the "Meeting") to be held on September 24, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) or at any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof, for the purposes discussed in this proxy statement and in the accompanying Notice of Meeting and any business properly brought before the Meeting.  Proxies are solicited to give all stockholders of record an opportunity to vote on matters properly presented at the Meeting.  We intend to mail this proxy statement and accompanying proxy card on or about August 26, 2020 to all holders of record of shares of our common stock (the "Common Stock"), being all of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting.  The Meeting will be held at Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7X 1M3.

Who Can Vote

You are entitled to vote if you were a holder of record of shares of Common Stock as of the close of business on August ♦, 2020 (the "Record Date").  Your shares of Common Stock can be voted at the Meeting only if you are present in person or represented by a valid proxy.

Shares Outstanding and Quorum

Holders of record of shares of Common Stock at the close of business on August ♦, 2020, the Record Date, will be entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting.  At the Meeting, each of the shares of Common Stock represented at the Meeting will be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter properly brought before the Meeting.  On the Record Date, there were ♦ shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

In order to carry on the business of the Meeting, we must have a quorum.  Under our bylaws, stockholders representing at least 331/3% of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders.

Proxy Card and Revocation of Proxy

Registered shareholders are entitled to vote at the Meeting.  The persons named as proxy holders (the "Designated Persons") in the enclosed form of proxy are directors and/or officers of our company. 

A shareholder has the right to appoint a person or corporation (who need not be a shareholder) to attend and act for or on behalf of that shareholder at the Meeting, other than the Designated Persons named in the enclosed form of proxy. 

To exercise this right, the shareholder may do so by inserting the name of such other person and, if desired, an alternate to such person, in the blank space provided in the form of proxy.

In voting, please specify your choices by marking the appropriate spaces on the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating the proxy card and returning it in the accompanying envelope, or via the telephone or the Internet by following the instructions provided in the enclosed proxy card. To be represented at the meeting, proxies must be submitted to Computershare Trust Company of Canada, Proxy Department, 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, or by facsimile (North American toll-free facsimile: 1-866-249-7775, international facsimile: 1-416-263-9524), or, if by telephone voting, at 1-866-732-8683, or, if by Internet voting, at https://www.investorvote.com, no later than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturday, Sundays and holidays, prior to the time of the Meeting or adjournment thereof.


If no directions are given and the signed proxy is returned, the proxy holders will vote the shares in favor of the nominees for directors and each of the proposals set out in this proxy statement and at their discretion on any other matters that may properly come before the Meeting.  The Board knows of no other business that will be presented for consideration at the Meeting.  In addition, since no stockholder proposals were received by us on a timely basis, no such matters may be brought at the Meeting.

Any stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke the proxy at any time before the proxy is voted. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing executed by the stockholder or by his attorney authorized in writing, or, if the stockholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized, and deposited at the offices of our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, Proxy Department, 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, or by facsimile (toll free North American facsimile: 1-866-249-7775, international facsimile: 1-416-263-9524), or by voting again on a later date via the telephone at 1-866-732-8683 or the Internet at https://www.investorvote.com (only your latest telephone or Internet proxy submitted prior to the Meeting will be counted) at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or with the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting. Attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy.

The persons named as proxy holders in the proxy card were designated by the Board.  A stockholder has the right to appoint a person or corporation (who need not be a stockholder) to attend and act for and on behalf of that stockholder at the Meeting, other than the Designated Persons in the enclosed proxy card.  The stockholder may exercise this right by inserting the name of such other person and, if desired, an alternate to such person in the blank space provided in the proxy card.

The shares of Common Stock represented by a stockholder's proxy card will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder on any ballot that may be called for and, if the stockholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted accordingly.

Voting of Shares

Holders of shares of Common Stock of record on the Record Date, are entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Common Stock on all matters to be voted upon at the Meeting. Holders of shares of Common Stock may vote in person or by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card.  All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly executed proxies received before the polls are closed at the Meeting, and not revoked or superseded, will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on those proxies.  YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.

Counting of Votes

All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the Meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes and votes withheld or abstained. Shares of Common Stock represented by proxies that reflect votes withheld or abstained as to a particular proposal will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. 

Shares of Common Stock represented by proxies that reflect a broker "non-vote" will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A broker "non-vote" will be treated as unvoted for purposes of determining approval of a proposal and will not be counted as "for" or "against" that proposal. A broker "non-vote" occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary authority or does not have instructions from the beneficial owner.


Solicitation of Proxies

We will bear the entire cost of the solicitation of proxies, including preparation, assembly and mailing of this proxy statement, the proxy and any additional information furnished to stockholders. Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, depositories, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares of Common Stock in their names that are beneficially owned by others to forward to these beneficial owners.  We may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners for their costs of forwarding the solicitation material to the beneficial owners of Common Stock.  We are soliciting proxies and such solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, facsimile, electronic mail or personal solicitation by our directors, officers or other regular employees. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other regular employees for such services.

Dissenting Stockholder Rights

Other than with respect to the proposal to approve the amendment to our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000, dissenting stockholders have no appraisal rights under Nevada law or under our articles of incorporation or bylaws in connection with the matters to be voted on at the Meeting.

Advice to Beneficial Stockholders

Only registered holders of shares of Common Stock or duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote at the Meeting.  Most shareholders are "non-registered" shareholders because the shares of Common Stock they own are not registered in their names but are instead registered in the name of the brokerage firm, bank or trust company through which they purchased the shares of Common Stock.  More particularly, a person is not a registered shareholder in respect of the shares of Common Stock which are held on behalf of that person (the "Non-Registered Holder") but which are registered either: (a) in the name of an intermediary (an "Intermediary") that the Non-Registered Holder deals with in respect of the shares of Common Stock (Intermediaries include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or administrators or self-administered RRSP's, RRIF's, RESPs and similar plans); or (b) in the name of a clearing agency (such as The CDS Clearing and Depositary Services Inc. ("CDS")) of which the Intermediary is a participant.  In accordance with the requirements as set out in National Instrument 54-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators and Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), we will distribute copies of the Notice of Meeting, this proxy statement and the form of proxy (collectively, the "Meeting Materials") to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries for onward distribution to Non-Registered Holders.

Intermediaries are required to forward the Meeting Materials to Non-Registered Holders unless a Non-Registered Holder has waived the right to receive them.  Very often, Intermediaries will use service companies to forward the Meeting Materials to Non-Registered Holders.  Generally, Non-Registered Holders who have not waived the right to receive Meeting Materials will either:

(a) be given a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature), which is restricted as to the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Non-Registered Holder but which is otherwise not completed.  Because the Intermediary has already signed the form of proxy, this form of proxy is not required to be signed by the Non-Registered Holder when submitting the proxy.  In this case, the Non-Registered Holder who wishes to submit a proxy should otherwise properly complete the form of proxy and deposit it with our transfer agent as provided above; or

(b) more typically, be given a voting instruction form which is not signed by the Intermediary, and which, when properly completed and signed by the Non-Registered Holder and returned to the Intermediary or its service company, will constitute voting instructions (often called a "proxy authorization form") which the Intermediary must follow.  Typically, the proxy authorization form will consist of a one page pre-printed form.  Sometimes, instead of a one page pre-printed form, the proxy authorization will consist of a regular printed proxy form accompanied by a page of instructions, which contains a removable label containing a bar-code and other information.  In order for the form of proxy to validly constitute a proxy authorization form, the Non-Registered Holder must remove the label from the instructions and affix it to the form of proxy, properly complete and sign the form of proxy and return it to the Intermediary or its service company in accordance with the instructions of the Intermediary or its service company.


In either case, the purpose of this procedure is to permit a Non-Registered Holder to direct the voting of the shares of Common Stock which they beneficially own.  Should a Non-Registered Holder who receives one of the above forms wish to vote at the Meeting in person, the Non-Registered Holder should strike out the names of the management proxyholders named in the form and insert the Non-Registered Holder's name in the blank space provided. In either case, Non-Registered Holders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the proxy or proxy authorization form is to be delivered.

SUMMARY OF BUSINESS MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON

At the Meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider four (4) proposals as follows: (1) the election of the Board; (2) the appointment of BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as our independent registered public accounting firm, and the authorization for the Board to fix the remuneration of BDO Canada LLP; (3) the approval of the increase in the number of shares issuable under our Deferred Share Unit Plan (the "DSUP"); (4) and the approval of the amendment to the Company's articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000. A summary of these proposals is as follows:

Proposal 1. Election of Directors.

The entire Board is elected annually by the stockholders at the Meeting.  The Board has selected six nominees based upon their ability and experience.  The nominees consist of Steven Bruk, Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce, Owen Matthews, Terence Matthews and Larry Timlick.  All of the nominees are currently serving as directors of our company.

The Board recommends that you vote FOR the election of the nominees as directors of our company.

Proposal 2. Appointment of Independent Accountants.

The Audit Committee has nominated BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2021. BDO Canada LLP provided audit and tax services for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2007 through April 30, 2020.

Representatives of BDO Canada LLP are not expected to be present at the Meeting. However, we will provide contact information for BDO Canada LLP to any stockholders who would like to contact the firm with questions.

The Board recommends that you vote FOR approval of BDO Canada LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for our company and for the authorization for the Board to fix the remuneration of BDO Canada LLP.

Proposal 3. Increase in the Number of Shares of Common Stock Issuable under the DSUP

On July 23, 2009, the Board approved the DSUP which was approved by our stockholders on October 22, 2009.  The purpose of the DSUP is to give our non-employee directors, senior employees and other eligible participants the opportunity to acquire deferred share units (each, a "DSU") in order to allow them to participate in the long term success of our company and to promote a greater alignment of interests between our non-employee directors, senior employees and shareholders.  A recipient of a DSU is entitled to receive an issuance from treasury of our company that number of shares of Common Stock required to settle the value of the DSUs (less applicable withholding taxes).  Currently, 900,000 shares have been reserved for issuance under the DSUP, representing approximately ♦% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock. On July 16, 2020, the Board approved an increase in the number of shares issuable under the DSUP by 200,000 shares, from 900,000 shares to 1,100,000 shares, representing an increase of approximately ♦% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, subject to and effective upon receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals.


The Board recommends that you vote FOR the approval, ratification and confirmation of the increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance under the DSUP by 200,000 shares.

Proposal 4. Increase in Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock

Our articles of incorporation currently authorize the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock and 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of August ♦, 2020, there are no shares of preferred stock outstanding and there were ♦ shares of Common Stock outstanding.

On July 16, 2020, the Board approved the amendment to our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000, subject to the approval of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock.

The Board believes it is in the best interest of our company to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock in order to give us greater flexibility in considering and planning for future corporate purposes, including, without limitation, financings, strategic transactions as well as other general corporate transactions.

The Board recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the amendment of our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth the names, positions and ages of our executive officers, directors and persons nominated to become directors.  All our directors serve until the next annual meeting of our stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualify.  Our Board appoints officers and their terms of office are, except to the extent governed by employment contract, at the discretion of our Board.

Name
and Residence

Position Held
with the Company

Age

Date First
Elected or Appointed

David Karp(1)

British Columbia, Canada

President and Chief Executive Officer

55

September 7, 2006

Karen Luk

British Columbia, Canada

Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary

38

September 19, 2019

Todd Carothers

Illinois, U.S.A.

Chief Revenue Officer

50

May 4, 2016

Terence Matthews
Ontario, Canada

Chairman of the Board, Director

77

August 2, 2007

Owen Matthews(3)
British Columbia, Canada

Vice-Chairman of the Board, Director

48

August 2, 2007

Chris Cooper(3)(4)
British Columbia, Canada

Director

50

August 17, 2005




Name
and Residence

Position Held
with the Company

Age

Date First
Elected or Appointed

Bruce Joyce(4)

Ontario, Canada

Director

72

September 10, 2013

Larry Timlick(3)(4)

British Columbia, Canada

Director

63

June 17, 2005

Steven Bruk

British Columbia, Canada

Director

54

September 12, 2017

(1) Appointed Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary since September 7, 2006 and Interim Chief Executive Officer since September 18, 2018. Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer since September 19, 2019.

(2) Appointed Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing since May 4, 2016 and Chief Revenue Officer since September 19, 2019.

(3) Member of our Compensation Committee.

(4) Member of our Audit Committee.

PROPOSAL 1

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Number of Directors

Our bylaws provide for a board of directors of between one and ten directors with the number of directors to be set from time to time by a resolution of the Board.  Each director is elected at each Meeting, continuing in office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such director's successor is elected and has been qualified, or until such director's earlier death, resignation or removal.  We currently operate with a board of six directors.  The Board meets periodically to review significant developments affecting our company and to act on matters requiring Board approval.

During fiscal 2020, the Board had six formal meetings and all of the directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and committees on which they served.

We have not adopted a formal policy with respect to the members of our Board attending our Meeting.  There were four members of the Board who attended last year's annual meeting of stockholders.

Nominees for Election

The entire board of directors is elected annually by the stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders.  The Board has selected six nominees based upon their ability and experience.  The nominees consist of Steven Bruk, Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce, Owen Matthews, Terence Matthews and Larry Timlick.  All of the nominees are currently serving as directors of our company.  The Board recommends that you vote FOR each of the nominees.

Set forth below is biographical information for each person nominated for election to the Board.

Terence Matthews

Sir Terence Matthews is our Chairman of the Board and has been a director of our company since August 2, 2007.  Mr. Matthews is the founder and Chairman of Wesley Clover International Corporation, an investment vehicle and holding company.  Mr. Matthews has either founded or funded over 100 companies since 1972 including Newbridge Networks Corporation, a company he founded in 1986 and which became a leader in the worldwide data networking industry. When France-based Alcatel acquired Newbridge Networks Corporation in May 2000, the company employed more than 6,500 employees and recorded fiscal year 1999 revenue of $1.8 billion. In 1972, before launching NewBridge Networks Corporation, Mr. Matthews co-founded Mitel Networks Corporation, a world leader in the design and manufacture of enterprise communications solutions.  Wesley Clover has interests in a broad range of next-generation technology companies, real estate, hotels and resorts. Mr. Matthews is also Chairman or Director of a number of private and publicly traded companies. Mr. Matthews holds an honours degree in electronics from the University of Wales and is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical Engineers and of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has been awarded honorary doctorates by several universities, including the University of Wales and Carleton University in Ottawa. In 1994, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and in the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was awarded a Knighthood.  In 2011, he was appointed Patron of the Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute at Cardiff University. Our Board has determined that Mr. Matthews should serve on the Board as a director of our company and as the Chairman of the Board based on his career in founding and developing companies specific to the advancement of the telecommunications industry, as well as his extensive network in the telecommunications and technology industry.


Owen Matthews

Mr. Matthews is our Vice-Chairman of the Board and has been a director of our company since August 2, 2007.  Mr. Matthews also currently serves as the Executive Vice-President of Wesley Clover International Corporation, an investment vehicle and holding company.  Between October 1998 and August 2, 2007, Mr. Matthews was Chief Executive Officer of NewHeights Software Inc.  In this capacity, Mr. Matthews was responsible for NewHeights' overall corporate growth and ensuring that the company delivered industry leading personal communications management solutions.  Mr. Matthews was active in driving the NewHeights' sales process, both domestically and internationally, and regularly engaged in technology strategy sessions with carriers, customer-premise equipment vendors and PC equipment manufacturers.  In 1998, Mr. Matthews co-founded NewHeights in response to the emerging shift towards the development of commercial IP Telephony systems.  Foreseeing the widespread adoption of IP PBXs and hosted IP Centrex, Mr. Matthews launched NewHeights to develop an intuitive, next-generation software client that would bring together the power of both the telephony and data networks in an intuitive graphic interface.  Our Board has determined Mr. Matthews should serve on the Board as a director of our company and the Vice-Chairman of the Board given that Mr. Matthews has been extensively involved in operating and investing in telecommunications companies for over a decade.  Mr. Matthews' business and technology acumen was in part seasoned under various Matthews' business holdings, including NewBridge Networks Corporation and Wesley Clover International Corporation and its portfolio of technology corporations.

Steven Bruk

Mr. Bruk has been a director of our company since September 12, 2017 and is a founding shareholder of our company. Mr. Bruk is Managing Director of KMB Trac Two Holdings Ltd. ("KMB"), an entity which holds investments in a wide variety of industries such as construction, real estate and technology, including Finning International Inc., Canlan Ice Sports Corp., Morgan Creek Golf Course and Development and Freshtap Logistics Inc. Mr. Bruk is a board member and a founding shareholder of Freshtap Logistics Inc., the parent company of DirectTap, a liquor distribution company with facilities across the province of British Columbia representing 75 craft brewers, 100 wineries and 10 distillers.  KMB's parent company, Bartrac Holdings Ltd., is a founding shareholder of Finning International Inc. and Whistler Mountain Ski Corp. Our Board has determined that Mr. Bruk should serve on the Board as director of our company based on his extensive career in investing in and advising companies.

Chris Cooper

Mr. Cooper has been a director of our company since August 17, 2005. Mr. Cooper has 17 years of experience in management and finance in the oil and gas industry starting several junior issuers. Over the past several years, Mr. Cooper has successfully raised over $120 million primarily through brokered and non-brokered equity issues as well as debt financing.  Currently, Mr. Cooper is the President, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Aroway Energy Inc., a junior oil and gas issuer.  Mr. Cooper received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University and his Master's in Business Administration from Dowling College, both in New York State. Our Board has determined that Mr. Cooper should serve on the Board as director of our company based on his extensive career in operating publicly traded companies and raising capital as well as his academic accreditations, including an MBA.


Bruce Joyce

Mr. Joyce has been a director of our company since September 10, 2013 and is a senior advisor to boards on strategic, operational and corporate governance issues. His broad business expertise is based on over 30 years of public accounting experience serving large public sector organizations, global advanced technology and communications companies, and growth oriented private companies. He currently serves as chair of the audit committee of the Auditor General of Canada, and on the Board of ProntoForms Corporation, where he chairs the audit committee. He is on the Board and chairs the audit committee of Ross Video, a private global production technology company based in Ottawa. In September, 2017, Mr. Joyce joined the Board of Saegis, a subsidiary of the Canadian Medical Protective Association that offers specialized safety programs and services for physicians, healthcare professionals and institutions in Canada. Mr. Joyce also chairs the Audit Committee of Saegis. In October, 2016, Mr. Joyce joined the Board of Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC) as a Director and in November, 2018 became Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Governance Human Resources and Compensation Committee (GHRCC). SCDC is wholly owned by the City of Surrey, British Columbia. SCDC was created to accelerate the growth of the City of Surrey through Strategic Real Estate Development.  During the fall of 2015, Mr. Joyce was the Executive in Residence at the Schwartz School of Business at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. From August 2010 to November 2011, Mr. Joyce was the Vice President of Leadership and Human Resources Research for the Conference Board of Canada. Prior to that, he spent 23 years with Deloitte where he was a senior partner in the National Capital Region office of Deloitte, serving as the Office Managing Partner for seven years and the leader of the Canadian Federal Government practice for five years. Mr. Joyce was the founding Chair of the National Capital chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors. Mr. Joyce is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario) and has a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University. He has also completed the Directors Education Program through the Institute of Corporate Directors, is Human Resources and Compensation Committee Certified through The Directors College and completed the Deloitte Competitive Readiness Program taught by the Kellogg School of Management and Columbia Business School. Mr. Joyce holds his ICD.D designation and has served on numerous boards.  Our Board has determined that Mr. Joyce should serve on the Board as director of our company based on his extensive audit and business experience as well as his academic accreditations.

Larry Timlick

Mr. Timlick has extensive knowledge of the enterprise and service provider markets with over 25 years of technical sales and management experience and has been a director of our company since June 17, 2005. He holds the office of President of Triplet Management a management consulting firm since November 2016.  Prior to this, Mr. Timlick was Regional Sales Leader - Western Canada at Avaya Inc. since September 2014.  Prior to this, Mr. Timlick was Regional Sales Leader - Western Canada for Arista Networks, a provider of cloud networking solutions for large data center and computing environments since November, 2011.  Mr. Timlick acted as interim President of our company from June 2005 to August 2005.  From 1991 to 2004, Mr. Timlick was with Cisco Systems Canada.  While with Cisco Systems Canada, Mr. Timlick was responsible for developing a sales region for TELUS, a major telecommunications carrier in Canada, which was named Region of the Year, Americas International in FY 2004.  Mr. Timlick was recognized for the following achievements at Cisco Systems including: Top Americas International Performer - Regional Manager FY 2000; Highest Regional Percentage of Goal - Americas International FY 2000; Top Canadian Regional Performance FY 2001 - Western Region Service Providers; and Top Customer Satisfaction Americas International FY 2002.  As the first Cisco Systems employee in Western Canada, Mr. Timlick expanded the business and opened offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg.  Mr. Timlick has also held management positions with AT&T Canada and Telex/Tulsa Computer Products.  Mr. Timlick is also a director of Para Resources Inc., Glance Technologies Inc. and Legion Metals Corp. Our Board has determined that Mr. Timlick should serve on the Board as a director of our company based on his extensive knowledge of enterprise and service provider markets, as well as his experience in the network equipment provider industry including Cisco Systems, Arista and Avaya.

Executive Officers

Set forth below is biographical information for each executive officer of our company who is not being nominated for election to the Board.


David Karp

Mr. Karp has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since September 19, 2019.  He was our Chief Financial Officer from September 7, 2006 to September 18, 2009 and was our Treasurer and Corporate Secretary from November 3, 2006 to September 18, 2019. He was our Interim Chief Executive Officer from September 18, 2018 to September 18, 2019.  From May 2004 to August 2006, Mr. Karp was Chief Financial Officer of Chemokine Therapeutics Corp., where he led the company's initial public offering and listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX").  From February 2002 to May 2004, Mr. Karp was Chief Financial Officer of Neuro Discovery Inc., a Vancouver based, publicly traded investment management company focused on biotechnology investing.  Mr. Karp assisted in raising capital and making private investments in early stage biotechnology companies in addition to having overall responsibility for all treasury, reporting and control functions.  From August 1997 to September 2001, Mr. Karp was Vice President, Investment Banking for BMO Nesbitt Burns in Vancouver.  His experience includes raising capital and managing a number of merger, acquisition and restructuring assignments for public and private companies in a variety of industries. Mr. Karp holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Ontario and a Master's in Business Administration from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.  He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder and a Professional Engineer.  Our Board has determined that Mr. Karp should serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer of our company based on his combined academic and professional experience and his extensive capital markets experience.

Todd Carothers

Mr. Carothers has been our Chief Revenue Officer since September 19, 2019.  Mr. Carothers was our Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing from May 4, 2016 to September 18, 2019. Since February 2008, Mr. Carothers held various positions with our company in marketing, product management and sales management. Mr. Carothers has over 20 years of experience in marketing, product management and sales management working with some of its largest enterprise, operator and channel partner customers including AT&T, Black & Decker, Cablevison Mexico, Comcast, FT/Orange, Hitachi, KDDI, NEC, Nokia, NTT, Prudential, Rogers, Verizon, Telefonica and Vodafone. Between November 2003 and October 2007, Mr. Carothers served as VP, Marketing and Business Development at BridgePort Networks. Prior to BridgePort Networks, Mr. Carothers held marketing, product management, business development and sales management positions at Malibu Networks, Adaptive Broadband (formerly California Microwave) and Sciforma Corporation. Mr. Carothers holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Chico with a minor in Computer Technology.

Karen Luk

Ms. Luk has been our Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary since September 19, 2019. She joined our company as Controller on May 22, 2018. Ms. Luk has over than 10 years of accounting and finance experience working with publicly traded companies within Canada and the United States. From January 2014 to May 2016, she was the Senior Manager, SEC Reporting of Pattern Energy Group Inc., (acquired by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in 2020), a San Francisco based publicly traded renewable energy company, with the exception of September 2014 to January 2015 where she was the Manager, SEC Reporting at Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (acquired by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2020), a San Francisco based publicly traded biotechnology company.  From November 2011 to December 2013, Ms. Luk was the Manager, SEC Reporting at Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., (acquired by Amgen Inc. in 2013), a San Francisco based publicly traded biopharmaceutical company. Prior to this, she spent four years with Manning Elliott LLP, Chartered Accountants in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Majority Voting Policy

The Board has adopted a "majority voting policy" providing that in an uncontested election of directors (i.e., an election where the number of nominees for directors is equal to the number of directors to be elected), any nominee who receives a greater number of votes "withheld" than votes "for" will tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board promptly following the relevant stockholders' meeting. The Board will consider the offer of resignation and whether to accept it. In considering whether or not to accept resignation, the Board will consider all factors deemed relevant by its members. The Board will be expected to accept the resignation except in situations where considerations would warrant the applicable director continuing to serve on the Board. The Board will make its final decision and announce it in a press release within 90 days following the relevant stockholders' meeting. A director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this policy will not participate in any meeting of the Board at which the resignation is considered.


Where the Board accepts the resignation of a director, the Board may, subject to applicable laws and any previously-passed stockholder resolutions, exercise its discretion with respect to the resulting vacancy and may, without limitation, leave the vacancy unfilled until the next annual meeting of stockholders, fill the vacancy through the appointment of a new director whom the Board considers to merit the confidence of the stockholders, or call a special meeting of stockholders to elect a new nominee to fill the vacant position. If any director fails to tender his or her resignation as contemplated in the majority voting policy, the Board will not re-nominate that director at the next election.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Board has not adopted a formal diversity policy at this time. The Board believes that director nomination and executive officer appointments should be made on the basis of business skills and experience - including industry and non-industry specific, experience, and integrity. The Board recognizes the benefits of diversity, but does not believe a quota is the right approach for the Board composition. In considering new hires and nominees to the Board, our company will continue to consider diversity in all its forms in a broader context, which the Board believes is in the best interest of stockholders. Currently, the Board is comprised of talented and dedicated directors whose backgrounds reflect the diverse nature of the business of our company. No Board seats or management positions are currently filled by women.

Family Relationships

Except as set forth below, there are no family relationships among our directors or our executive officers.

Owen Matthews, our Vice-Chairman of the Board, is the son of Terence Matthews, our Chairman of the Board.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings.

None of our directors, nominees and executive officers have been involved in any of the following events during the past 10 years:

1) a petition under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law was filed by or against, or a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer was appointed by a court for the business or property of such person, or any partnership in which he was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association of which he was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing;

2) such person was convicted in a criminal proceeding or is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);

3) such person was the subject of any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him from, or otherwise limiting, the following activities:

(a) acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with such activity;


(b) engaging in any type of business practice; or

(c) engaging in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or commodity or in connection with any violation of Federal or State securities laws or Federal commodities laws;

4) such person was the subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any activity described in paragraph (3)(a) above of this section, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

5) such person was found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to have violated any Federal or State securities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC has not been subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated;

6) such person was found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any Federal commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated;

7) such person was the subject of, or a party to, any Federal or State judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of:

(a) any Federal or State securities or commodities law or regulation; or

(b) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or

(c) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or

8) such person was the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

Legal Proceedings

We are not involved as a plaintiff in any material proceeding or pending litigation where such claims or action involves damages for a value of more than 10% of our current assets as of April 30, 2020, or any material proceedings in which any of our company's directors, officers, or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial stockholders of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or any associate of such person, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our company or any of our subsidiaries. In addition, we do not know of any such proceedings contemplated by any governmental authorities.

Corporate Cease Trade Orders

To the best of our company's knowledge, no proposed director has, within 10 years before the date of this proxy statement, been a director or officer of any company that, while that person was acting in that capacity, (i) was the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied that person or company access to any exemption under securities legislation for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, or (ii) was subject to an event that resulted, after the director or officer ceased to be a director or officer, in the company being the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, other than the following:


Chris Cooper is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Aroway Energy Inc., a company traded on the TSX-V.  A cease trade order has been issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission on January 4, 2016 against Aroway Energy Inc. for failing to file its annual audited financial statements, interim financial report and related management's discussion and analysis. Aroway Energy Inc. remains under the cease trade order as at the date of this proxy statement.

Chris Cooper is a director of StartMonday Technology Corp., a company traded on the CSE.  A cease trade order has been issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission on May 1, 2019 against the Company for failing to file its annual audited financial statements, interim financial report and related management's discussion and analysis. The Company remains under the cease trade order as at the date of this proxy statement.

Steven Bruk was formerly a director of LGC Skyrota Wind Energy Corp., formerly Zenith Industries Corp., a company traded on the TSX-V.  The British Columbia Securities Commission issued a cease trade order on February 9, 2011 for failure to file certain financial information.  The company remains under the cease trade order as of the date of this proxy statement.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting will be required to elect directors.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

No director, nominee, executive officer, principal shareholder holding at least 5% of our shares of Common Stock, or any family member thereof, had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction, or proposed transactions, since May 1, 2018, the beginning of our last two fiscal years, in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years other than the following:

During the year ended April 30, 2020, the Company through its wholly owned subsidiary, CounterPath Technologies Inc., paid $60,314 (2019 - $83,551) to KRP Properties ("KRP") for leased office space. KRP is a division of Wesley Clover International Corporation which is controlled by Terence Matthews, the Chairman of the Company.

On November 21, 2013, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, CounterPath Technologies, entered into an agreement with 8007004 (Canada) Inc. ("8007004") to lease office space. 8007004 was controlled by Owen Matthews, the Vice-Chairman of the Company. On May 1, 2019, the office space was sold to a third party. For the year ended April 30, 2019, CounterPath Technologies, paid $30,846 to 8007004 for leased office space.

On October 10, 2018, the Company entered into a loan agreement (the "Loan Agreement") with Wesley Clover International Corporation ("Wesley Clover"), a company controlled by Terence Matthews, the Chairman of the Company, and KMB Trac Two Holdings Ltd. ("KMB Trac Two Holdings"), a company owned by the spouse of Steven Bruk, a director of the Company. As of April 30, 2020, the principal balance of the loan payable due to Wesley Clover and KMB Trac Two Holdings was $2,000,000 and $2,000,000 (2019 - $1,500,000 and $1,500,000), respectively. During the year ended April 30, 2020, the Company paid $114,740 (2019 - $26,301) in interest to each of Wesley Clover and KMB Trac Two Holdings. As of April 30, 2020, the Company owed $39,729 (2019 - $8,110) in interest payable to each party.

During the year ended April 30, 2020, the Company sold $105,262 (2019 - $41,600) in subscription services to WCS Europe, a company controlled by Terence Matthews, the Chairman of the Company.

On November 8, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with WCS Europe to hire a dedicated resource to assist with business development in the EMEA region. The initial term of the agreement is for six months, invoiced quarterly in advance at 3,500 euros per month. The services will renew for another six months subject to mutual agreement with 30 day notice. For the year ended April 30, 2020, the Company paid $23,300 to WCS Europe.


On November 26, 2019, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, CounterPath Technologies Inc., entered into an agreement with ThinkRF Corp. ("ThinkRF") to lease office space beginning January 1, 2020. During the year ended April 30, 2020, CounterPath Technologies Inc. paid $9,932 to ThinkRF. ThinkRF is a company controlled by Terence Matthews, the Chairman of the Company.

It is the responsibility of our audit committee to review, approve and ratify related party transactions.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC.  Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by our company, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Form 5s were required for those persons, we believe that, during the year ended April 30, 2020 all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with, with the exception of the following:

Name

Number of Late Reports

Number of Transactions Not
Reported on a Timely Basis

Failure to File
Required Forms

David Karp

3

6

Nil

Karen Luk

1

1

Nil

Larry Timlick

1

1

Nil

Owen Matthews

1

1

Nil

Todd Carothers

3

6

Nil

CODE OF ETHICS

Effective April 24, 2008, the Board adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program that applies to, among other persons, members of our Board, our officers, employees, contractors, consultants and advisors.  As adopted, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program sets forth written standards that are designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

  • honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
  • full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by us;
  • compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;
  • the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program; and
  • accountability for adherence to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program.

Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program requires, among other things, that all of our company's personnel shall be accorded full access to our Chief Executive Officer with respect to any matter which may arise relating to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program.  Further, all of our company's personnel are to be accorded full access to our Board if any such matter involves an alleged breach of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program by our officers.

In addition, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program emphasizes that all employees, and particularly managers and/or supervisors, have a responsibility for maintaining financial integrity within our company, consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, and federal, provincial and state securities laws. Any employee who becomes aware of any incidents involving financial or accounting manipulation or other irregularities, whether by witnessing the incident or being told of it, must report it to his or her immediate supervisor or to our corporate secretary.  If the incident involves an alleged breach of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program by an executive officer, the incident must be reported to any member of our board of directors.  Any failure to report such inappropriate or irregular conduct of others is to be treated as a severe disciplinary matter.

It is against our company policy to retaliate against any individual who reports in good faith the violation or potential violation of our company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program by another.

Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 14.2 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q dated July 31, 2008 filed on September 15, 2008.  Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program and Compliance Program is also posted on our website at www.counterpath.com. We will provide a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program to any person without charge, upon request.  Requests can be sent to: CounterPath Corporation, Suite 300, One Bentall Centre, 505 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7X 1M3, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

A description of our approach to corporate governance, with our responses to Form 58-101F1 Corporate Governance Disclosure, is set out in Exhibit A attached hereto.

We currently act with six directors, consisting of Steven Bruk, Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce, Owen Matthews, Terence Matthews, and Larry Timlick.  We have determined that Steven Bruk, Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce, Owen Matthews, Terence Matthews, and Larry Timlick are independent directors as defined by Rule 5605(a) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. We have determined that Steven Bruk, Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce and Larry Timlick are independent directors as defined by National Instrument 52-110 ("NI 52-110"), adopted by various Canadian securities commissions.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We currently act with a standing Audit Committee and Compensation Committee.  We do not have a standing nominating committee or corporate governance committee but our Board acts as our corporate governance committee while all director nominees are recommended for selection by a majority of our independent directors (as defined by Rule 5605(a) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules) in a vote in which only our independent directors participate.  If any stockholder seeks to nominate a director or bring any other business at any meeting of our stockholders, the stockholder must notify us in writing and such notice must be delivered to or received by the Secretary of our company in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act.  A stockholder may write to "The Secretary of CounterPath Corporation", c/o CounterPath Corporation, Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Box 95, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7X 1M3, to deliver the notices discussed above and for a copy of the relevant bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee was formed in September 2007.  During the year ended April 30, 2020, the Audit Committee held four meetings and all members of the Audit Committee attended such meetings.  The Audit Committee currently consists of Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce and Larry Timlick.  Mr. Joyce acts as the Audit Committee Chairman.  Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce and Larry Timlick are non-employee directors of our company and are considered independent directors as defined by Rule 5605(a) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and NI 52-110.  Each of the members of the Audit Committee is financially literate as defined in NI 52-110.


For a description of Messrs. Cooper, Joyce and Timlick's education and experience, see the section of this proxy statement entitled "Nominees for Election".

The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act.  The Audit Committee is directed: to review the scope, cost and results of the independent audit of our books and records, the results of the annual audit with management and the adequacy of our accounting, financial and operating controls; to recommend annually to our Board the selection of the independent registered accountants; to consider proposals made by the independent registered accountants for consulting work; and to report to our Board, when so requested, on any accounting or financial matters.  Our Board adopted a charter for the Audit Committee on December 13, 2007, a copy of which was filed with our Definitive Proxy Statement on August 29, 2008 and is available on Edgar at www.sec.gov.

For a description of the Audit Committee's Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures and a description of fees paid to the independent registered accountants, see the section of this proxy statement entitled "Proposal 2 Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors."

Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Exchange Act requires our Board to determine if a member of its Audit Committee is an "audit committee financial expert." According to these requirements, an Audit Committee member can be designated an Audit Committee financial expert only when the Audit Committee member satisfies specified qualification requirements, such as experience (or "experience actively supervising" others engaged in) preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements presenting a level of accounting complexity comparable to what is encountered in connection with our company's financial statements. Such qualifications may be acquired through specified means of experience or education. Our Board has determined that Mr. Joyce qualifies as an Audit Committee financial expert as defined in 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended April 30, 2020.

The Audit Committee has also discussed with BDO Canada LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") and the SEC.

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO Canada LLP required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding BDO Canada LLP's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with BDO Canada LLP its independence.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2020 filed with the SEC.

The Audit Committee of our Board currently consists of Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce and Larry Timlick. The material contained in this Audit Committee Report is not soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC, and is not incorporated by reference in any filing of our company under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Exchange Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date of this proxy statement and irrespective of any general incorporation language in such filing.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

During the year ended April 30, 2020, there were five meetings held by the Compensation Committee and two of the members of the Compensation Committee attended all such meetings and one of the members attended two of the meetings.  The Compensation Committee currently consists of Chris Cooper, Owen Matthews and Larry Timlick, all of whom are non-employee directors of our company.  Messrs. Cooper, Matthews and Timlick are considered independent directors as defined by Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. To remain compliant with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(d)(5), our company will continue to have a compensation committee of at least two members, each of whom are independent directors as defined by rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing rules. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves annual salaries, bonuses and other forms and items of compensation for our executive officers and employees.  Except for plans that are, in accordance with their terms or as required by law, administered by the Board or another particularly designated group, the Compensation Committee also administers and implements all of our stock option and other stock-based and equity-based benefit plans (including performance-based plans), recommends changes or additions to those plans, and reports to the Board on compensation matters.  The Compensation Committee was formed in September 2007.  The Board adopted a charter for the Compensation Committee on November 8, 2007, which was amended on June 7, 2012. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter was filed with our Definitive Proxy Statement on August 13, 2012 and is available on Edgar at www.sec.gov.

Our Compensation Committee reviews and approves at least annually, our company's executive compensation plans, incentive-compensation and equity based plans and other general compensation plans (the "Company Plans") in light of our company's goals and objectives, and amends, or recommends that the Board amend, these existing Company Plans. 

Our Compensation Committee reviews and approves at least annually the corporate goals and objectives applicable to the compensation of the CEO.  In addition, our Compensation Committee evaluates at least annually the performance of the CEO, the other executive officers of the our company (collectively, the "Company Executives") in light of the goals and objectives applicable to the CEO and of our company, and based on this evaluation, sets his or her total compensation, including, but not limited to: (a) the annual base salary level; (b) the annual incentive opportunity level; (c) the long-term incentive opportunity level; (d) employment agreements, severance agreements, and change-in-control agreements and provisions, in each case as, when and if appropriate; and (e) any special or supplemental benefits, including, but not limited to, perquisites.  In determining the long-term incentive component of each Company Executive's compensation, our Compensation Committee considers all relevant factors, including our company's performance and relative shareholder return, the value of similar incentive awards to persons with comparable positions at comparable companies, and the awards given to each Company Executive in past years.

Our Compensation Committee reviews at least annually and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of all non-employee directors of our company, taking into consideration compensation paid to non-employee directors of comparable companies and the specific duties of each director.  Our directors evaluate such recommendations and if deemed appropriate, approve and ratify such recommendations.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

We do not have a standing nominating committee. We believe that our independent directors can serve the role of a formal committee. As of the date of this proxy statement, in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c), we adopted, as of June 28, 2012, a policy that all director nominees be recommended for selection by a majority of our independent directors in a vote in which only our independent directors participate.  For a description of our process for identifying and nominating directors, see Exhibit C to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed on August 13, 2012 and available on Edgar at www.sec.gov. As of the date of this proxy statement, we did not effect any material changes to the procedures by which our shareholders may recommend nominees to our board of directors.  We have a policy that all candidates recommended by our stockholders will be considered in the same manner as other candidates. We encourage stockholders to recommend candidates directly to the Secretary by sending communications to "The Secretary of CounterPath Corporation", c/o CounterPath Corporation, Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Box 95, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7X 1M3. 


Our Board does not currently have a formal process for security holders to send communications to our Board.  We, however, encourage stockholders to communicate directly with the Board by sending communications to "The Board of Directors of CounterPath Corporation", c/o CounterPath Corporation, Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Box 95, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7X 1M3.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

The positions of our principal executive officer and the Chairman of the Board are served by two individuals. David Karp is our President and Chief Executive Officer.  Terence Matthews is the Chairman of the Board. Because of the separation of these functions to two individuals, we have determined that the leadership structure of our Board is appropriate given the characteristics and circumstances of our company, including the size of our company, our net assets and our committee structure.

Our Board provides oversight of our risk exposure by receiving periodic reports from senior management regarding matters relating to financial, operational, legal and strategic risks and mitigation strategies for such risks at scheduled meetings of the Board and otherwise.

VOTING SECURITIES AND OWNERSHIP OF VOTING SECURITIES BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

We have set forth in the following table certain information regarding the Common Stock beneficially owned on August ♦, 2020 for (i) each stockholder we know to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Common Stock, (ii) each of our company's executive officers and directors, (iii) the nominees for election to our Board, (iv) each of our named executive officers (as defined in the "Executive Compensation" section), and (v) all executive officers and directors as a group.  In general, a person is deemed to be a "beneficial owner" of a security if that person has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such security, or the power to dispose or to direct the disposition of such security.  A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days.  As of August ♦, 2020, the Record Date, we had ♦ shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.  Accordingly, ♦ shares are entitled to one (1) vote per share at the Meeting.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership (1)

Percentage
of Class (2)

Terence Matthews
390 March Road, Suite 110
Kanata, Ontario

Canada, K2K 0G7

1,730,269 (3)

♦%

Steven Bruk
Suite 300, One Bentall Centre

505 Burrard Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada, V7X 1M3

1,385,693 (4)

♦%

Owen Matthews

Suite 300, One Bentall Centre

505 Burrard Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada, V7X 1M3

298,863 (5)

♦%

David Karp

Suite 300, One Bentall Centre

505 Burrard Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada, V7X 1M3

173,694 (6)

♦%




Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership (1)

Percentage
of Class (2)

Larry Timlick

Suite 300, One Bentall Centre

505 Burrard Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada, V7X 1M3

74,159 (7)

♦%

Chris Cooper
1300-1030 West Georgia

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada, V6E 2Y3

79,009 (8)

♦%

Bruce Joyce

Suite 300, One Bentall Centre

505 Burrard Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada, V7X 1M3

67,020 (9)

**

Todd Carothers

Suite 300, One Bentall Centre

505 Burrard Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada, V7X 1M3

67,228 (10)

**

Karen Luk

Suite 300, One Bentall Centre

505 Burrard Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada, V7X 1M3

4,844(11)

**

Directors and Executive Officers as a Group

3,882,780

♦%

** Less than 1%

(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.  Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the Common Stock listed above, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable.

(2) Percentage based on ♦ shares of Common Stock outstanding on August ♦, 2020, including shares of Common Stock subject to options, DSUs or warrants currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or convertible within 60 days of August ♦, 2020 which are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such option, DSU or warrant but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.

(3) Includes 1,649,112 shares of Common Stock held by Wesley Clover International Corporation. Also includes 81,157 shares of Common Stock subject to DSUs.

(4) Includes 174,447 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Bruk and the spouse of Mr. Bruk and 1,188,404 shares of Common Stock held by KMB.  Mr. Bruk's spouse is the sole shareholder of KMB.  Also includes 22,842 shares of Common Stock subject to DSUs.

(5) Includes 71,117 shares of Common Stock subject to DSUs held by Mr. Matthews.

(6) Includes 52,292 shares of Common Stock subject to vested stock options of a total of 70,000 shares of Common Stock subject to stock options and held by Mr. Karp that are exercisable within 60 days of August ♦, 2020, including 20,000 shares of Common Stock subject to vested stock options of a total of 20,000 stock options issued on July 15, 2016, that are exercisable at a price of $2.40 per share, expiring on July 15, 2021.  Also, includes 32,292 shares of Common Stock subject to vested stock options of a total of 50,000 stock options issued on December 14, 2017 that are exercisable at a price of $2.89 per share of Common Stock, expiring on December 14, 2022.  Also includes 88,921 shares of Common Stock subject to vested DSUs out of a total of 173,198 shares of Common Stock subject to DSUs.

(7) Includes 74,159 shares of Common Stock subject to DSUs.

(8) Represents 79,009 shares of Common Stock subject to DSUs.

(9) Represents 66,020 shares of Common Stock subject to DSUs.

(10) Includes 32,292 shares of Common Stock subject to vested stock options of a total of 50,000 shares of Common Stock subject to stock options and held by Mr. Carothers that are exercisable within 60 days of August ♦, 2020, including 32,292 shares of Common Stock subject to vested stock options of a total of 50,000 stock options issued on December 14, 2017 that are exercisable at a price of $2.89 per share of Common Stock, expiring on December 14, 2022.  Also includes 17,158 shares of Common Stock subject to vested DSUs out of a total of 74,824 shares of Common Stock subject to DSUs.


(11) Includes 4,844 shares of Common Stock subject to vested stock options of a total of 15,000 shares of Common Stock subject to stock options and held by Ms. Luk that are exercisable within 60 days of August ♦, 2020, including 3,750 shares of Common Stock subject to vested stock options of a total of 7,500 stock options issued on July 26, 2018 that are exercisable at a price of $2.51 per share of Common Stock expiring July 26, 2023. Also includes 1,094 shares Common Stock subject to vested stock options of a total of 7,500 stock options issued on December 12, 2019 that are exercisable at a price of $0.96 per share of Common Stock expiring December 12, 2024.

Changes in Control

As of the date of this proxy statement, management had no knowledge of any arrangements which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of our company.

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

Except as otherwise disclosed herein, no individual who has been a director or executive officer of our company at any time since the beginning of the last fiscal year of our company, or any proposed management nominee for election as a director, or any associate or affiliate thereof, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of shares of our Common Stock or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting. Certain directors, executive officers and proposed nominees for election as directors may be interested in the approval of the increase in the number of shares issuable under our DSUP, pursuant to which they may be granted DSUs. See "Proposal 3 Approval of the Increase in the Number of Shares of Common Stock Issuable under the DSUP by 200,000 Shares".

INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS

Except as otherwise disclosed herein: (a) none of our directors or executive officers; (b) none of the nominees for election as a director; (c) no person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, shares of Common Stock or who exercises control or direction of shares of Common Stock, or a combination of both (including control through nominees and proposed directors) carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to the outstanding shares of Common Stock (an "Insider"); (d) no director or executive officer of an Insider; and (e) no associate or affiliate of any of the directors, executive officers, nominees or Insiders, has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of our most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect our company or any of our subsidiaries, except with an interest arising from the ownership of shares of Common Stock where such person or company will receive no extra or special benefit or advantage not shared on a pro rata basis by all holders of the same class of shares who are resident in Canada.

MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

No management functions of our company are performed to any substantial degree by a person other than the directors or executive officers of our company.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The particulars of compensation paid to the following persons:

(a) our principal executive officer;

(b) each of our two most highly compensated executive officers, other than our principal executive officer, who were serving as executive officers at the end of the year ended April 30, 2020; and

(c) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided under (b) but for the fact that the individual was not serving as our executive officer at the end of the year ended April 30, 2020, who we will collectively refer to as our named executive officers, of our company for the years ended April 30, 2020 and 2019, are set out in the following summary compensation table, except that no disclosure is provided for any named executive officer, other than our principal executive officer, whose total compensation does not exceed $100,000 for the last completed fiscal year:



Name and Principal
Position

Year

Salary
($)(1)

Bonus
($)(1)

Stock Awards
($)(2)

Option Awards
($)(3)

Other
Annual
Compen-
sation
($)(1)(4)

Total
($)

David Karp
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

2020

2019

219,672

188,106

80,414

49,034

57,000

113,703

-

-

26,882

25,847

383,968

376,690 

Karen Luk

Vice President, Finance

2020

2019

97,971

88,866

-

-

-

-

2,734

9,576

3,074

2,005

103,779

100,447

Todd Carothers

Chief Revenue Officer

2020

2019

219,250

210,000

72,300

28,000

41,280

56,400

-

-

25,715

23,140

358,545

317,540

(1) Translated from Canadian dollars at an annual average exchange rate of C$1.34 per US$1.00.

(2) The amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value of the DSUs granted to named executive officers in each fiscal year listed. For a description of the methodology and assumptions used in valuing the DSUs granted to our officers and directors during the year ended April 30, 2020, please review Note 10 to the financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2020 filed on July 20, 2020. These amounts reflect the grant date fair value calculated for financial reporting purposes; actual amounts recognized by the named executive officers may be materially different depending on, among other things, our company's stock price performance and the period of service of the named executive officer.

(3) The amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value of the stock options granted to named executive officers in each fiscal year listed. For a description of the methodology and assumptions used in valuing the stock options granted to our officers and directors during the year ended April 30, 2020, please review Note 10 to the financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2020 filed on July 20, 2020. These amounts reflect the grant date fair value calculated for financial reporting purposes; actual amounts recognized by the named executive officers may be materially different depending on, among other things, our company's stock price performance and the period of service of the named executive officer.

(4) The value of all other perquisites and other personal benefits, securities and property included in this column does not exceed $10,000 and is not detailed herein.

Employment Agreements with Our Named Executive Officers

David Karp, our President and Chief Executive Officer entered into an employment agreement with our company dated April 14, 2020, which replaced an employment agreement dated September 11, 2006, as amended.  Effective April 1, 2020, Mr. Karp's current annual salary is CDN$310,000. During the period from November 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, Mr. Karp's annual salary was CDN$297,800. During fiscal year 2019 and the period from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019, Mr. Karp's annual salary under the employment agreement dated September 11, 2006, as amended, was CDN$287,800. In addition, Mr. Karp may earn a bonus of up to 50% of his annual salary based upon the achievement of pre-determined objectives that may be earned and paid quarterly. Mr. Karp is also entitled to a monthly expense allowance of CDN$800.

During fiscal years 2020 and 2019, Mr. Karp received total cash bonuses of $80,414 and $49,034, respectively, which were determined by our Compensation Committee primarily based upon our company's quarterly achievement of predetermined financial objectives including revenue, operating costs, operating profitability and cash position.  During fiscal years 2020 and 2019, our Board granted Mr. Karp 50,000 DSUs and 62,830 DSUs, respectively, pursuant to our DSUP. The DSUs are redeemable into shares of Common Stock on a one for one basis and vest over three years.  Our Board determined that it was in our company's interest to grant the DSUs to Mr. Karp in order to allow Mr. Karp to participate in the long term success of our company and to promote a greater alignment of interests between our senior officers and shareholders.


If Mr. Karp's employment agreement is terminated without cause by our company, or by Mr. Karp within 12 months following a change in control of the company as defined in the employment agreement, we agree to provide to Mr. Karp (a) a lump sum cash payment equal to 18 months' base salary and monthly expense allowance plus one additional month of base salary and monthly expense allowance for each additional year of service after April 1, 2020 including pro rata amount for partial years worked (the "Severance Period"); (b) compensation for loss of the bonus in the amount of 30% of the Mr. Karp's base salary multiplied by the Severance Period; (c) continuation of eligible employee benefits for the Severance Period; and (d) vesting of all unvested stock options and deferred share units.

Ms. Luk, our Vice President of Finance entered into an employment agreement with our company dated May 17, 2018, as amended on September 23, 2019. Effective October 1, 2019, Ms. Luk's current annual salary is CDN$135,000. During the period from May 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 and during fiscal year 2019, Ms. Luk's annual salary was CDN$125,000. During fiscal years 2020 and 2019, our Board granted Ms. Luk 7,500 stock options and 7,500 stock options, respectively pursuant to our employee stock option plan. The option awards generally vest in the amount of 12.5% on the date which is six months from the date of grant and then beginning in the seventh month at 1/42 per month for 42 months, at which time the options are fully vested. Our Board determined that it was in our company's interest to grant the stock options to Ms. Luk in order to allow Ms. Luk to participate in the long term success of our company and to promote a greater alignment of interests between our senior officers and shareholders

Mr. Carothers, our Chief Revenue Officer entered into an employment agreement with our company dated January 1, 2019, as amended April 14, 2020. Effective April 1, 2020, Mr. Carothers' current annual salary is US$231,000. During the period from October 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, Mr. Carothers' annual salary was US$225,000. From May 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019 and during fiscal year 2019, Mr. Carothers' annual salary was US$210,000. In addition, Mr. Carothers may earn a bonus of between 0.0% and 0.70% of our total billings (revenue plus change in deferred revenue) per fiscal quarter based upon the achievement of pre-determined revenue objectives. Mr. Carothers is also entitled to a monthly expense allowance of $500. During fiscal years 2020 and 2019, Mr. Carothers received total cash bonuses of $72,300 and $28,000, respectively, which were determined by our Chief Executive Officer primarily based upon our company's quarterly achievement of predetermined financial objectives including revenue.  During fiscal years 2020 and 2019, our Board granted Mr. Carothers 31,000 DSUs and 40,000 DSUs, respectively, pursuant to our DSUP. The DSUs are redeemable into shares of Common Stock on a one for one basis and vest over three years.  Our Board determined that it was in our company's interest to grant the DSUs to Mr. Carothers in order to allow Mr. Carothers to participate in the long term success of our company and to promote a greater alignment of interests between our senior officers and shareholders.

If Mr. Carothers' employment agreement is terminated without cause by our company, or by Mr. Carothers within 12 months following a change in control of the company as defined in the employment agreement, we agree to provide to Mr. Carothers (a) a lump sum cash payment equal to one year base salary and continuation of eligible employee benefits for one year; and (d) vesting of all unvested stock options and deferred share units.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity awards held by each named executive officer of our company as of April 30, 2020.  The option awards generally vest in the amount of 12.5% on the date which is six months from the date of grant and then beginning in the seventh month at 1/42 per month for 42 months, at which time the options are fully vested. The DSU awards vest as to one-third (1/3) of the number of DSUs granted on the first, second and third anniversaries of the award date.



 

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Name

Number of Securities Underlying unexercised Options
(#) Exercisable

Number of Securities Underlying unexercised Options
(#) Unexercisable

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options
(#)

Option Exercise Price
($)

Option
Expiration Date

Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested
(#)

Market value of shares of units of stock that have not vested
($)(1)


David Karp

 

 

13,750(2)

16,667(3)

 

 

6,250

33,333

 

 

 

 

$2.40

$2.89

 

 

July 15, 2021

December 14, 2022

 

 

4,459(4)

15,220(6)

26,667(7)

50,000(8)

 

 

$12,931

$44,138

$77,334

$145,000

 


Karen Luk

 

 

3,281

 

 

4,219

7,500

 

 

 

 

$2.51

$0.96

 

 

July 26, 2023

December 12, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Todd Carothers

 

7,500(6)

29,167(3)

 

 

20,833

 

 

 

 

$2.50

$2.89

 

 

July 17, 2020

December 14, 2022

 

 

26,667(7)

25,000(8)

6,000(9)

 

 

$77,334

$72,500

$17,400

 

(1)  Calculated using CPAH closing price of $2.90 per share on April 30, 2020.

(2)  Granted on July 15, 2016.

(3)  Granted on December 14, 2017.

(4)  Granted on July 14, 2017.

(5)  Granted on July 17, 2015.

(6)  Granted on July 26, 2018.

(7)  Granted on December 14, 2018.

(8)  Granted on November 4, 2019.

(9) Granted on March 23, 2020.

Compensation of Directors

During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, we compensated our non-employee directors for their services in fiscal year 2020 according to the following schedule:  A retainer of CDN$15,000 for each board member; a retainer of CDN$3,7500 for our Chairman of the Board; a retainer of CDN$5,000 for the Audit Committee chair; a retainer of CDN$3,750 for the Compensation Committee chair; and a retainer of CDN$5,000 for each Audit Committee or Compensation Committee member.  Directors may be paid the retainers in cash, or at our Board's option, in a form of equity compensation under an existing equity compensation plan of our company.  During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, we issued 88,399 DSUs in lieu of cash to our non-employee directors.

Directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board.  Our Board may award special remuneration to any director undertaking any special services on our behalf other than services ordinarily required of a director.


The following table summarizes compensation paid to all of our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020:

Name

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
($)

Stock Awards ($)(7)

Option Awards
($)

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)

All Other Compens-ation
($)

Total
($)

Steven Bruk(1)

Nil

11,409

Nil

N/A

N/A

Nil

11,409

Chris Cooper(2)

Nil

19,014

Nil

N/A

N/A

Nil

19,014

Bruce Joyce(3)

Nil

19,014

Nil

N/A

N/A

Nil

19,014

Terence Matthews(4)

Nil

14,260

Nil

N/A

N/A

Nil

14,260

Owen Matthews(5)

Nil

18,063

Nil

N/A

N/A

Nil

18,063

Larry Timlick(6)

Nil

19,014

Nil

N/A

N/A

Nil

19,014

(1) At April 30, 2020, Mr. Bruk held an aggregate of 22,842 DSUs.

(2) At April 30, 20209, Mr. Cooper held an aggregate of 79,009 DSUs.

(3) At April 30, 2020, Mr. Bruce Joyce held an aggregate of 66,020 DSUs.

(4) At April 30, 2020, Mr. Terence Matthews held an aggregate of 83,157 DSUs.

(5) At April 30, 2020, Mr. Owen Matthews held an aggregate of 71,117 DSUs.

(6) At April 30, 2020, Mr. Timlick held an aggregate of 74,159 DSUs.

(7) Represents value on grant date of DSUs.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides a summary of the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights, weighted average exercise weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights and the number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for future issuance under our equity compensation plans as well as certain warrants granted outside of our compensation plan, the weighted average exercise price and the number of options remaining available for grant, shares purchasable or DSUs available for grant all as at April 30, 2020.

Plan Category

Number of Securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Weighted-Average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights

Number of Securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:

     

Amended 2010 Stock Option Plan

672,286

$1.90

204,104

Employee Share Purchase Plan

N/A

134,766

Deferred Share Unit Plan

699,182

N/A

39,097

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

N/A

N/A

N/A

Total

1,371,468

$1.90

377,967



Amended 2010 Stock Option Plan

On September 27, 2010, shareholders ratified the consolidation of the 2004 Stock Option Plan and the amended and restated 2005 Stock Option Plan into one plan referred to as the "2010 Stock Option Plan" (later renamed as "Amended 2010 Stock Option Plan") for our employees, directors, officers and consultants of our company and our subsidiaries.  The purpose of our Amended 2010 Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan") is to retain the services of valued key employees, directors, officers and consultants and to encourage such persons with an increased incentive to make contributions to our company.  As of August ♦, 2020, we employed approximately ♦ people full-time and approximately ♦ consultants.

We are permitted to grant stock options to acquire up to 1,186,000 shares of Common Stock under the Option Plan.  Incentive stock options may be granted to any individual who, at the time the stock option is granted, is an employee of our company or any related company (as defined in the Option Plan). Non-qualified stock options may be granted to employees of our company or any related company and to such other persons who are not employees as the Board shall select, subject to applicable laws. Unless approved by the plan administrator and disinterested shareholders, no person shall be eligible to receive in any fiscal year options to purchase more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

Each stock option shall be designated in the written stock option agreement as either an incentive stock option or a nonqualified stock option. However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of the shares underlying incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by any optionee during any calendar year in excess of $100,000, such excess shall be treated as non-qualified stock options.

The Option Plan will be administered by the Board (the plan administrator), except that the Board may, at its discretion, establish a committee composed of two or more members of our company's board of directors or two or more other persons to administer the Option Plan. The plan administrator has the sole authority, in its absolute discretion, to:

(a) construe and interpret the Option Plan;

(b) prescribe, amend and rescind the rules and regulations relating to the Option Plan;

(c) grant stock options under the Option Plan;

(d) determine the individuals to whom options shall be granted under the Option Plan and whether the stock option is granted as an incentive stock option or a non-qualified stock option;

(e) determine the time or times at which stock options shall be granted under the Option Plan;

(f) determine the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each stock option, the exercise price of each stock option, the duration of each stock option and the times at which each stock option shall become exercisable;

(g) determine all other terms and conditions of the stock options; and

(h) make all other determinations and interpretations necessary and advisable for the administration of the Option Plan.

The exercise price for the shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan administrator, but shall be subject to the following:

(a) in the case of an incentive stock option granted to:

(i) an employee who, at the time of the grant of such incentive stock option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of our company, including any parent or subsidiary, the per share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant;


(ii) any employee other than an employee described in the preceding paragraph, the per share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant; and

(b) in the case of a non-qualified stock option, the per share exercise price shall be determined by the plan administrator, but such price shall not be less than the closing trading price of the shares of Common Stock on such stock exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed and posted for trading, on the last trading day preceding the date on which the option is granted.

The term of a stock option shall be stated in the stock option agreement, provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten years from the date of grant. However, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to an optionee who, at the time the stock option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of our company, including any parent or subsidiary, the term of the stock option shall be five years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the stock option agreement.

The number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Option Plan, including the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under any outstanding stock options, is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, including certain changes in our share capital.

Upon the exercise of any stock options granted under the Option Plan, the aggregate exercise price shall be paid to our company in cash or by certified or cashier's check. In addition, if pre-approved in writing by the plan administrator, who may arbitrarily withhold consent, an optionee may pay for all or any portion of the aggregate exercise price by complying with one or more of the following alternatives:

(a) by delivering to our company shares of Common Stock previously held by such optionee, or by our company withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable pursuant to exercise of the option, which shares of Common Stock received or withheld shall have a fair market value at the date of exercise (as determined by the Board) equal to the aggregate exercise price to be paid by the optionee upon such exercise; or

(b) by complying with any other payment mechanism approved by the plan administrator at the time of exercise.

The vesting schedule for each option shall be specified by the plan administrator at the time of grant of the option, provided that if no vesting schedule is specified, the options shall vest as follows:

(a) on the first anniversary of the grant as to 25% of the number of options granted;

(b) on the second anniversary of the grant as to 25% of the number of options granted;

(c) on the third anniversary of the grant as to 25% of the number of options granted; and

(d) on the fourth anniversary of the grant as to 25% of the number of options granted.

Stock options that have vested as specified by the plan administrator or in accordance with the Option Plan, shall terminate, to the extent not previously exercised, upon the occurrence of the first of the following events:

(a) the expiration of the stock option, as designated by the plan administrator in accordance the term of such stock option as set forth in the stock option agreement;

(b) the date of an optionee's termination of employment or contractual relationship with our company or any related company for cause (as determined in the sole discretion of the plan administrator);


(c) the expiration of three months from the date of an optionee's termination of employment or contractual relationship with our company or any related company for any reason whatsoever other than cause, death or disability; or

(d) the expiration of one year from termination of an optionee's employment or contractual relationship by reason of death or disability.

Upon the death of an optionee, any vested stock options held by the optionee shall be exercisable only by the person or persons to whom such optionee's rights under such stock option shall pass by the optionee's will or by the laws of descent and distribution of the optionee's domicile at the time of death and only until such stock options terminate as provided above.

Unless accelerated in accordance with the Option Plan, unvested stock options shall terminate immediately upon the optionee resigning from or our company terminating the optionee's employment or contractual relationship with our company or any related company for any reason whatsoever, including death or disability.

A stock option may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution, and may be exercised during the lifetime of the optionee only by the optionee. The plan administrator may, subject to applicable laws at any time, modify, amend or terminate the Option Plan or modify or amend stock options granted under the Option Plan, including, without limitation, such modifications or amendments as are necessary to maintain compliance with applicable statutes, rules or regulations; provided however that:

(a) no amendment with respect to an outstanding stock option which has the effect of reducing the benefits afforded to the optionee will be made over the objection of such optionee;

(b) the events triggering acceleration of vesting of outstanding stock options may be modified, expanded or eliminated without the consent of the optionees;

(c) the plan administrator may condition the effectiveness of any such amendment on the receipt of shareholder approval at such time and in such manner as the plan administrator may consider necessary for our company to comply with or to avail our company and/or the optionees of the benefits of any securities, tax, market listing or other administrative or regulatory requirement; and

(d) the plan administrator may not increase the number of shares available for issuance on the exercise of incentive stock options without shareholder approval. 

The plan administrator may modify grants to persons who are eligible to receive stock options under the Option Plan who are foreign nationals or employed outside Canada and the United States to recognize differences in local law, tax policy or custom.

As of August ♦, 2020, there were 554,553 stock options issued and outstanding, representing 9.3% of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock on that date (616,449 stock options issued and outstanding, representing 10.4% as of April 30, 2020).  331,525 additional shares of Common Stock, representing 5.6% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (269,629 additional shares of Common Stock, representing 4.5% as of April 30, 2020), are available for issuance under the Option Plan.

Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)

On October 1, 2008, shareholders approved the ESPP.  The ESPP is open for participation to all employees (including directors and officers who are under a permanent full-time or part-time contract of employment with our company) of our company and any of our subsidiaries subject to certain provisions contained within the ESPP.  The purpose of the ESPP is to give employees access to an equity participation vehicle in addition to our stock option plans by way of an opportunity to purchase shares of Common Stock through payroll deductions and encourage them to use their combined best efforts on behalf of our company to improve its profits through increased sales, reduction of costs and increased efficiency.


Pursuant to the ESPP, 220,000 shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the ESPP.  The shares of Common Stock purchased or issued pursuant to the ESPP will be, at our discretion, either:

(a) purchased from our company, at the purchase price equal to the volume weighted average trading price of our shares of Common Stock on the TSX for the five trading days immediately preceding the end of the month in question; or

(b) purchased through a stock broker on the open market through the facilities of the TSX.

The Board will have full power and authority to administer the ESPP on behalf of our company, including the power and authority to delegate the administration of the ESPP to a compensation committee.  The Board shall determine questions of interpretation or application of the ESPP and its decisions shall be final and binding on all participants. The members of the Board will receive no additional compensation for their services in administering the ESPP.

Eligible employees become participants in the ESPP by delivering an election to purchase shares prior to the commencement of the applicable purchase period. Each participant shall contribute to the ESPP, at the participant's option, an amount equal to or between the following minimum and maximum amounts (in whole percentages): a minimum of one percent (1%) of the participant's basic compensation, and a maximum of six percent (6%) of the participant's basic compensation. The contributions shall be made through payroll deductions at the end of each employee's bi-weekly or monthly pay period, as applicable. We, as agent of the participant, shall make such deductions and pay the participant's contribution to the Administrator (as such term is defined in the ESPP).  Computershare Trust Company of Canada has been appointed as Administrator to assist with the administration of the ESPP. 

On the last business day of each month, the Administrator will purchase shares of Common Stock (in this section, the "Participant Shares") from either our company or on the open market through the facilities of the TSX, or other exchange based on the contributions received from each participant during the preceding month. If the shares are purchased from treasury, the purchase price of the Participant Shares will be the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares on the TSX, or other exchange for the five trading days immediately preceding the last business day of such month. The Administrator will deposit the Participant Shares into an account in the name of the participant and will hold such shares on behalf of such participant.

We will match a portion of each employee's participation in the ESPP by issuing additional shares of Common Stock to each participant (through the Administrator).  Specifically, on the last business day of each month, our company will issue to the Administrator that number of shares of Common Stock (in this section, the "Matching Shares") equal to fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate number of Participant Shares purchased by the Administrator on behalf of the participants for such month for each participant. The Matching Shares will be deposited into a trust account by the Administrator on behalf of our company.

The Participant Shares and Matching Shares purchased on behalf of each participant will vest immediately to the benefit of such participant.

A participant whose employment is terminated for any reason other than death must withdraw or otherwise transfer all of their Participant Shares and Matching Shares in such participant's account within ninety days of such termination of employment.  The participant may also request that the Administrator sell the Participant Shares and Matching Shares in the participant's account and distribute the cash proceeds to the participant. In the event of the death of a participant, the Participant Shares and Matching Shares in such participant's account shall be distributed to such participant's estate in accordance with the instructions of such participant's legal representative. Such distribution may take the form of a distribution of the cash realized from the sale of such Participant Shares and Matching Shares by the Administrator if so requested by the legal representative of the participant's estate.


We reserve the right to discontinue use of payroll deductions at any time such action is deemed advisable. The ESPP will terminate on October 1, 2028, unless earlier terminated by the Board. No right or interest of any participant in or under the ESPP may be assigned by such participant.

Amendments to the ESPP generally require the consent of the TSX and our stockholders given at a duly constituted meeting. However, the following amendments to the ESPP may be made by the Board without stockholder approval: (a) amendments of a technical, clerical or "housekeeping" nature, or to clarify any provision of the ESPP, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any amendment for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, error or omission in the ESPP or to correct or supplement any provision of the ESPP that is inconsistent with any other provision of the ESPP; (b) suspension or termination of the ESPP; (c) amendments to respond to changes in legislation, regulations, instruments (including National Instrument 45-106), stock exchange rules (including the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX) or accounting or auditing requirements; (d) amendments respecting administration of the ESPP; (e) any amendment to the definition of "Employee" in the ESPP; (f) any amendment to the definition of "Subsidiary" in the ESPP; (g) changes to the provisions for any outstanding Matching Shares (as defined in the ESPP); (h) amendments to the participant contribution provisions of the ESPP; (i) amendments to the withdrawal and suspension provisions of the ESPP; (j) amendments to the number or percentage of Matching Shares contributed by us; (k) amendments to the termination provisions of the ESPP; (l) adjustments to reflect stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, share combinations or other alterations of our capital stock; and (m) any other amendment, whether fundamental or otherwise, not requiring shareholder approval under applicable law (including, without limitation, the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX).

Stockholder approval will be required for the following types of amendments of the ESPP: (a) amendments to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the ESPP, including an increase to the fixed maximum number of shares of Common Stock or a change from a fixed maximum number of shares of Common Stock to a fixed maximum percentage; and (b) amendments required to be approved by Stockholders under applicable law (including, without limitation, the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX).

As of August ♦, 2020, there were ♦ shares of Common Stock that have been issued pursuant to the terms of the ESPP, representing ♦% of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock on that date (85,234 shares of Common Stock that have been issued pursuant to the terms of the ESPP, representing 1.4% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock as of April 30, 2020).  ♦ additional shares of Common Stock, representing ♦% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (134,766 additional shares of Common Stock, representing 2.2% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of April 30, 2020), are available for issuance under the ESPP.

Deferred Share Unit Plan (DSUP)

On July 23, 2009, the Board approved the DSUP, which was approved by our shareholders on October 22, 2009. While the Board has discretion to determine the participants eligible to participate under the DSUP, the DSUP is generally open for participation to non-employee directors and Senior Officers (as that term is defined in the DSUP) of our company and any of our subsidiaries.  The purpose of the DSUP is to provide non-employee directors and Senior Officers of our company and our subsidiaries with the opportunity to acquire DSUs in order to allow them to participate in the long term success of our company and to promote a greater alignment of interests between our non-employee directors, senior officers and shareholders.

Each DSU is equivalent in value to one share of Common Stock. Upon the voluntary resignation or termination for cause of a participant, all of the participant's unvested DSUs will be forfeited without any entitlement to such participant. Upon the termination without cause, the disability, or the retirement of a participant, the participant will have a number of DSUs become vested in a linear manner as prescribed in the DSUP. Upon the death of a participant prior to the distribution of the DSUs credited to the account of such participant, an issuance of shares of Common Stock from treasury to settle the redemption of DSUs shall be made to the estate of the participant (less applicable withholding taxes).

A DSU granted to a participant who is a director of our company shall vest immediately on the award date. A DSU granted to a participant other than a director will generally vest as to one-third (1/3) of the number of DSUs granted on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the award date, unless otherwise determined by the Board. Fair value of the DSUs, which is based on the trading price of the shares of Common Stock of our company on the date of grant, is recorded as compensation expense in the period of grant.


The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the DSUP at any time, provided that no such amendment, suspension or termination may be made without obtaining any required regulatory approval, including the TSX, or, if applicable, any other exchange on which the shares of our Common Stock trade, or, if requested by such regulatory authority, any shareholder approval. Furthermore, no such amendment, suspension or termination may:

(a) without shareholder approval, increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to DSUs granted under the DSUP; or

(b) amend, alter or impair in any manner any DSUs previously granted to a participant, without the express written consent of such participant, irrespective of any action taken by the Board as described above.

Except as required by law, the rights of a participant under the DSUP are not capable of being assigned, transferred, alienated, sold, encumbered, pledged, mortgaged or charged and are not capable of being subject to attachment or legal process for the payment of any debts or obligations of the participant. However, rights and obligations under the DSUP may be assigned by our company to a successor in the business of our company.

DSUs are non-transferable (except to a participant's estate as provided in the DSUP) and no certificates representing DSUs will be issued.  If we declare and pay cash dividends, a participant's account will be credited with dividend equivalents (calculated in accordance with the terms of the DSUP) in the form of additional DSUs (which will vest in accordance with the vesting schedules of the DSUs that are subject to such dividend equivalent) on each dividend payment date in respect of which normal cash dividends are paid on the shares of our Common Stock.

Currently, 900,000 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately ♦% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, have been reserved for issuance under the DSUP. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be reserved for issuance to any one participant pursuant to DSUs granted under the DSUP and any share compensation arrangement is 5% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the time of reservation, unless approval is otherwise obtained from the TSX, as applicable.

As of August ♦, 2020, there were 699,182 DSUs issued and outstanding, representing ♦% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock on that date (699,182 DSUs issued and outstanding, representing 11.4% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of April 30, 2020).  39,097 additional shares of Common Stock, representing ♦% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, are available for grant under the DSUP on that date (39,097 additional shares of Common Stock, representing 0.6% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of April 30, 2020) and 161,721 shares of Common Stock, representing ♦% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (161,721 shares of Common Stock, representing 2.6% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of April 30, 2020), have been issued to settle vested DSUPs.

Annual Burn Rate

Our annual burn rate under the DSUP for each of our three most recently completed fiscal years is calculated as follows:

 

Year ended
April 30, 2020

Year ended
April 30, 2019

Year ended
April 30, 2018

Weighted average shares outstanding

6,010,006

5,942,096

5,496,201

Securities awarded under the DSUP

203,399

236,981

119,998

Burn rate

3.4%

4.0%

2.2%




INDEBTEDNESS TO COMPANY OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR OFFICERS

No current or former director, executive officer or employee is indebted to our company or our subsidiaries as at the date of this proxy statement.

None of the directors or executive officers of our company is or, at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year, has been indebted to our company or our subsidiaries.  None of the directors' or executive officers' indebtedness to another entity is, or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year, has been the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by our company or our subsidiaries.

PARTICULARS OF OTHER MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, were appointed as our auditors on November 7, 2006.  At the recommendation of the Audit Committee, our Board has selected BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending April 30, 2020, and has further directed that management submit the selection of independent auditors for ratification by the stockholders at the Meeting.

Stockholder ratification of the selection of BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by the bylaws or otherwise.  However, our Board is submitting the selection of BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, our Board will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm.  Even if the selection is ratified, our Board in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Board determines that such a change would be in the best interests of our company and its stockholders.

Representatives of BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, attend all meetings of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reviews audit and non-audit services performed by BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as well as the fees charged by BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, for such services.  In its review of non-audit service fees, the Audit Committee considers, among other things, the possible effect of the performance of such services on the auditor's independence.  Additional information concerning the Audit Committee and its activities with BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, can be found under the sections of this proxy statement entitled "Committees of the Board of Directors" and "Audit Committee" on page 16.

Our Audit Committee has considered and determined that the services provided by BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, are compatible with maintaining the independence of the principal accountant.

Representatives of BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, will be present at the Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.


Fees Paid to BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants

BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, provided audit and other services during fiscal years 2020 and 2019.  This included the following fees:

    2020     2019  
Audit Fees $ 174,395   $ 162,233  
Audit Related Fees $ 10,678   $ 5,985  
Tax Fees   Nil     Nil  
All Other Fees   Nil   $ 4,509  
Total Fees $ 183,073   $ 172,727  

Audit Fees.  This category includes the fees for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and the quarterly reviews of interim consolidated financial statements.

Audit Related Fees.  This category includes fees not included in audit fees that are billed by the auditor for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements.

Tax Fees.  This category includes the fees for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.  There were no tax fees paid to BDO Canada LLP during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2020 and April 30, 2019.

All Other Fees.  This category includes fees paid to BDO Canada LLP that are not covered by the headings set out above during our fiscal years ended April 30, 2020 and April 30, 2019.

The Audit Committee requires advance approval of all audit, audit-related, tax, and other services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.  Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to perform it.  The Audit Committee has delegated to the chair of the Audit Committee authority to approve permitted services provided that the chair reports any decisions to the committee at its next scheduled meeting.  All services performed by BDO Canada LLP were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee has considered the nature and amount of the fees billed by BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants and believes that the provision of the services for activities unrelated to the audit is compatible with maintaining BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountant's independence.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants and to authorize the Board to fix the remuneration of auditors.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF BDO CANADA LLP, CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS, AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF OUR COMPANY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO FIX THE REMUNERATION OF THE AUDITORS.


PROPOSAL 3

APPROVAL OF THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE DSUP BY 200,000 SHARES

While the Board has discretion to determine the participants eligible to participate under the DSUP, the DSUP is generally open for participation to non-employee directors and Senior Officers (as that term is defined in the DSUP) of our company and any of our subsidiaries. The purpose of the DSUP is to provide non-employee directors and Senior Officers of our company and our subsidiaries with the opportunity to acquire DSUs in order to allow them to participate in the long term success of our company and to promote a greater alignment of interests between our non-employee directors, Senior Officers and shareholders.  For additional information on the DSUP, see "Equity Compensation Plan Information - Deferred Share Unit Plan".

Currently, 900,000 shares of Common Stock are issuable under the DSUP. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be reserved for issuance to any one participant pursuant to DSUs granted under the DSUP and any share compensation arrangement is 5% of the number of shares of Common Stock of our company outstanding at the time of reservation.

Our company increased the number of shares of Common Stock that are issuable under the DSUP on the dates and in the amounts as follows:

 Date

Number of Shares Issuable

Increased Number of Shares Issuable

September 27, 2010

150,000 shares

200,000 shares

September 27, 2012

200,000 shares

250,000 shares

September 9, 2014

250,000 shares

300,000 shares

September 10, 2015

300,000 shares

400,000 shares

September 12, 2016

400,000 shares

500,000 shares

September 12, 2017

500,000 shares

700,000 shares

September 19, 2019

700,000 shares

900,000 shares

On July 16, 2020, the Board approved an increase in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the DSUP by 200,000, from 900,000 shares to 1,100,000 shares, subject to and effective upon receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. As of August ♦, 2020, there were 699,182 DSUs issued and outstanding, representing ♦% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock on that date.  39,097 additional shares of Common Stock, representing ♦% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, are available for grant under the DSUP and 161,721 shares of Common Stock, representing ♦% of the currently issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, have been issued to settle vested DSUPs.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

The policies of the TSX require that our company obtain disinterested shareholder approval for the proposed increase in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the DSUP.  Accordingly, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares, other than votes attaching to the ♦ shares of Common Stock, representing approximately ♦% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, beneficially owned by directors, officers and nominees of our company entitled to receive a benefit under the DSUP, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting will be required to approve the increase in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the DSUP by 200,000 shares.


The following resolution will be submitted for a shareholder approval at the Meeting:

"RESOLVED that the increase in the number of shares of common stock issuable under CounterPath Corporation's Deferred Share Unit Plan by 200,000 shares is hereby approved, ratified and confirmed."

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE DSUP BY 200,000 SHARES.

PROPOSAL 4

INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

Our articles of incorporation currently authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock and 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share. No preferred stock is outstanding.

As of the record date, we have ♦ shares of Common Stock outstanding, leaving ♦ shares of Common Stock available for future issuance.  We may require additional shares of Common Stock for the purposes discussed below and accordingly, we wish to increase the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock to 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value US$0.001.

On July 16, 2020, the Board approved the proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation, subject to the approval of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock.

The Board believes it is in the best interest of our company to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock in order to give us greater flexibility in considering and planning for future corporate purposes, including, without limitation, financings, strategic transactions as well as other general corporate transactions. We have no plans, commitments, arrangements, understandings, or agreements to issue any shares that will be made available pursuant to the proposed increase in authorized stock.

Proportionate voting rights and other rights of the holders of Common Stock would not be affected by the increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock. The additional authorized shares of Common Stock will have rights identical to our currently authorized and outstanding shares of Common Stock. Accordingly, effecting the proposal to increase the number of shares of Common Stock will not affect any rights of shareholders and par value will remain unchanged at $0.001 per share.  The percentage of outstanding shares owned by each stockholder prior to the increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock will remain the same, For example, generally, a holder of two percent of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the effective time of the increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock would continue to hold two percent of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock after the increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock.

Dissent Rights

Under our bylaws, our stockholders are entitled, after complying with certain requirements of our bylaws, to dissent from approval of the proposal to amend our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Common Stock and to be paid the "fair value" of their shares of the Common Stock, determined as of the close of business on the date before the proposal is approved. We will require strict compliance with the procedures set out in our bylaws.

The following is intended as a brief summary of the material provisions of procedures required to be followed by a stockholder in order to dissent from the proposal to amend our articles of incorporation:

1. A dissenting stockholder must send to our company, at or before the annual and special meeting, a written objection to the proposal. Failing to vote against the proposal will not constitute a waiver of the dissent rights, but voting against or failing to vote for the proposal by itself does not constitute filing of the written objection. In addition, a dissenting stockholder must not vote in favor of the proposal. A vote in favor of the proposal will constitute a waiver of the dissent rights in respects of the shares of our common stock so voted and will nullify any previously filed written objection. Submission of a blank proxy will constitute a vote in favor of the proposal since all signed proxies which contain no direction on voting are automatically voted in favor of the proposals.


2. We must, within 10 days after our stockholders approve the proposal, send to each stockholder who has filed the written objection a notice that the proposal has been approved. Such notice is not required to be sent to any stockholder who voted for the proposal or who has withdrawn their objection.

3. A dissenting stockholder must, within 20 days after receiving our notice of approval of the proposal or, if the dissenting stockholder does not receive such notice, within 20 days after learning that the proposal has been approved, send to our company a written notice containing:

(a) the stockholder's name and address;

(b) the number and class of shares in respect of which the stockholder dissents; and

(c) a demand for payment of the fair value of such shares.

A dissenting stockholder may only claim the dissent rights with respect to all the shares of our common stock held on behalf of any beneficial owner and registered in the name of the dissenting stockholder.

4. A dissenting stockholder must, within 30 days after sending a notice demanding payment, send the share certificate(s) representing the shares in respect of which the stockholder dissents to our company or our transfer agent.

5. We must, not later than 7 days after the later of (i) the day on which the amendment of our articles of incorporation is effective or (ii) the day we receive the notice demanding payment, send to each dissenting stockholder who has sent such notice:

(d) a written offer to pay for their shares in an amount considered by our board of directors to be fair value, accompanied by a statement showing how the fair value was determined; or

(e) a notification that we are unable lawfully to pay dissenting stockholders for their shares (as described below).

6. If we are able lawfully to pay dissenting stockholders for their shares, we must pay for the shares of a dissenting stockholder within 10 days after our offer has been accepted, but any such offer lapses if we do not receive an acceptance within 30 days after the offer has been made.

7. If we failed to make an offer described above, or if a dissenting stockholder fails to accept our offer, we may, within 50 days after the amendment of our articles of incorporation is effective or within such further period as a court may allow, apply to a court to fix a fair value for the shares of any dissenting stockholder. If we fail to apply to a court in this case, a dissenting stockholder may apply to a court for the same purpose within a further period of 20 days or within such further period as a court may allow.

We must not make a payment to a dissenting stockholder if such payment is prohibited by any applicable law or if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:

1. we are or would after the payment be unable to pay our liabilities as they become due; or

2. the realizable value of our assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of our liabilities.

On sending a notice demanding payment, a dissenting stockholder ceases to have any rights as a stockholder other than the right to be paid the fair value of their shares except where:

1. the dissenting stockholder withdraws that notice before we make an offer to pay for their shares;

2. we fail to make an offer to pay for their shares and the stockholder withdraws the notice; or


3. our directors revoke or do not proceed with the amendment of our articles of incorporation, in which case the stockholder's rights are reinstated as of the date the notice is sent.

If you hold your shares of our common stock in a brokerage account or in other nominee form and you wish to exercise dissent rights, you should consult with your broker or the other nominee to determine the appropriate procedures for the making of a demand for payment by the broker or other nominee.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

The proposal for approval of amendment of our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Common Stock requires the affirmative vote from the stockholders holding shares in our company entitling them to exercise at least a majority of the voting power. This means that the proposal must receive "For" votes from the holders of at least ♦ shares of the Common Stock.

Stockholders will be asked to approve the following resolution:

 "BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. The amendment to the articles of incorporation of CounterPath Corporation (the "Articles of Incorporation") to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock of CounterPath Corporation from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000 (the "Amendment") be and is hereby authorized and approved;

2. The Articles of Incorporation be amended to effect the Amendment by changing the first paragraph of the fourth article of the Articles of Incorporation so that, as amended, the first paragraph of said article shall be and read substantially as follows:

"The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 150,000,000 shares, consisting of 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock having a par value of $0.001 per share and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock having a par value of $0.001 per share, and to be issued in such series and to have such rights, preferences, and designation as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation."

3. At any time before the effective date of the Amendment, notwithstanding the approval of the Amendment by the stockholders of CounterPath Corporation, the board of directors of CounterPath Corporation, may by resolution, abandon the Amendment without further action by the stockholders of CounterPath Corporation;             

4. Any one director or officer of CounterPath Corporation be and is hereby authorized and directed, for and on behalf of CounterPath Corporation, to execute and deliver all such documents and instruments and to do all such acts and things as such director or officer may determine to be necessary or advisable to give effect to this resolution and the matters authorized hereby, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery of any such document or instrument, and the taking of any such action."

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FROM 10,000,000 TO 50,000,000.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and for consideration at our next Meeting of stockholders.  To be eligible for inclusion in our 2021 proxy statement, your proposal must be received by us no later than 120 days before August ♦, 2021 and must otherwise comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. While our Board will consider stockholder proposals, we reserve the right to omit from our proxy statement relating to our 2021 Meeting stockholder proposals that we are not required to include under the Exchange Act, including Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act.


You may write to the Corporate Secretary of our company at our principal executive office by sending communications to "The Corporate Secretary of CounterPath Corporation", c/o CounterPath Corporation, Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Box 95, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V7X 1M3, to deliver the notices discussed above and for a copy of the relevant bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates.

STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

You must include your name and address in any such written communication and indicate whether you are a shareholder of our company.

Our Corporate Secretary will compile all communications addressed to the Board, a committee of the Board or a specific director, summarize lengthy, repetitive or duplicative communications and forward them to the appropriate director or directors or committee chair.  Complaints regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing will be forwarded to the chair of the Audit Committee. Our Corporate Secretary will not forward non-substantive communications or communications that pertain to personal grievances to directors, but will instead forward them to the appropriate department within our company for resolution. Our Corporate Secretary will retain a copy of such communications for review by any director upon his or her request.

Any stockholder communication marked "confidential" will be logged by our Corporate Secretary as "received" but will not be reviewed, opened or otherwise held by our Corporate Secretary. Such confidential correspondence will be immediately forwarded to the addressee(s) without a memo or any other comment by our Corporate Secretary.

Communications from an employee or agent of our company will be considered stockholder communications under this policy if made solely in his or her capacity as a stockholder.  No communications from a director or officer of our company will be considered stockholder communications under this policy. In addition, proposals submitted by stockholders for inclusion in our annual proxy statement, and proposals submitted by stockholders for presentation at our annual stockholders meeting, will not be considered stockholder communications under this policy. Written communications submitted by stockholders recommending the nomination of a person to be a member of our Board will be forwarded to the independent members of the Board.

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Attention is directed to the financial statements contained in our Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended April 30, 2020.  A copy of the Annual Report to Stockholders has been sent, or is concurrently being sent, to all stockholders of record as of August ♦, 2020, but does not constitute a part of the proxy soliciting material.

AVAILABILITY OF FORM 10-K

A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020 which has been filed with the SEC, including the financial statements, but without exhibits, will be provided without charge to any stockholder or beneficial owner of Common Stock upon written request to "The Corporate Secretary of CounterPath Corporation", c/o CounterPath Corporation, Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Box 95, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7X 1M3.

REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT

Our registrar and transfer agent is Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 3rd Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3B9.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information relating to our company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.  Financial information relating to our company is provided in our company's comparative financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the financial year ended April 30, 2020.  Stockholders may contact our company to request copies of financial statements and management's discussion and analysis at the following address:  "The Corporate Secretary of CounterPath Corporation", c/o CounterPath Corporation, Suite 300 - 505 Burrard Street, Box 95, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7X 1M3.

OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

In addition to the matters to be voted upon by the stockholders, we will receive and consider both the Report of the Board to the stockholders, and the financial statements of our company for the years ended April 30, 2020 and April 30, 2019, together with the report of the independent registered public accounting firm thereon.  These matters do not require stockholder approval, and therefore stockholders will not be required to vote upon these matters.

Our Board knows of no other business that will be presented for consideration at the Meeting.  If other matters are properly brought before the Meeting, however, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

By:

/s/ Terence Matthews
Terence Matthews
Chairman of the Board

Dated: August ♦, 2020


EXHIBIT A

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE

 The disclosure noted below is in accordance with National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices ("NI 58-101").  The section references are to Form 58-101F1 in accordance with NI
58-101.

1. Board of Directors

(a) Steven Bruk, Chris Cooper, Bruce Joyce and Larry Timlick are independent directors(1).

(b) Directors that are not considered independent under National Instrument 52-110 ("NI 52-110") and the basis for that determination are as follows:

Director

Basis for Non-Independence (1)

Owen Matthews

Mr. Owen Matthews is the son of Terence Matthews, the chairman of our company and is not considered independent because he is a family member of an executive officer, being the chairman. 

Terence Matthews

As the chairman of our company, Mr. Matthews is not considered to be independent, as the chairman is considered an executive officer under NI 52-110.

(1) As defined by NI 52-110.

(c) A majority of the directors of our company are independent directors. The Board is comprised of four independent directors and two non-independent directors. At the present time, the Board (including all of the independent directors) is of the view that it is able to operate objectively and in the best interests of our company. The members of the Board possess sufficient public company and industry experience such that the Board, in its totality, is able to operate effectively. The Board encourages an atmosphere of candour and constructive dissent. Further, the directors of our company are aware of the laws requiring disclosure of conflicts of interest and the fact that our company will rely upon such laws in respect of any conflict of interest, including the obligation of a director to abstain from voting in respect of any matter involving a conflict of interest.


(d) Directorships

The following directors are also directors of other reporting issuers (or the equivalent in a foreign jurisdiction), as identified next to their name:

Director

Reporting Issuers or Equivalent in a Foreign Jurisdiction

Steven Bruk

None

Chris Cooper

Planet Mining Exploration Inc., Bullion Gold Resources Corp., Alpha Lithium Corporation, Fusion Gold Ltd., Magnitude Mining Ltd., Growmax Resources Corp., Sweet Earth Holdings Corporation, StartMonday Technology Corp., New Leaf Ventures Inc.

Owen Matthews

None

Terence Matthews

Martello Technologies Group Inc., ProntoForms Corporation

Larry Timlick

Perk Labs Inc., Myriad Metals Corp., Soma Gold Corp., Numinus Wellness Inc.

Bruce Joyce

ProntoForms Corporation

(e) Independent Directors' Meetings

Members of management may be excluded from a portion of each regularly scheduled meeting of the directors, as required. Meetings where non-independent directors are not in attendance may be held as required by the independent directors; this is considered appropriate given our company's overall governance.

(f) Terence Matthews, the chairman of our company is not considered an independent director under NI 52-110.  Collectively, the members of the Board possess sufficient public company and industry experience such that a lead independent director is not considered necessary at this time. The independent directors possess sufficient board and management experience such that they are able to operate effectively amongst themselves without the designation of a lead independent director. The Board encourages an atmosphere of candour and constructive dissent.

(g) The attendance record of each director for all Board meetings held since the beginning of our company's most recently completed financial year is set forth below:

Director

Number of Board Meetings Attended in Fiscal Year 2020

Steven Bruk

6 of 6

Chris Cooper

6 of 6

Owen Matthews

6 of 6

Terence Matthews

6 of 6

Larry Timlick

6 of 6

Bruce Joyce

6 of 6



2. Board Mandate

The text of the board's written mandate is attached hereto as Appendix A.

3. Position Descriptions

(a) The Board has established a written position description for its chairman and for the chairman of each committee of the Board.

(b) The Board has established a written position description for its Chief Executive Officer.

4. Orientation and Continuing Education

(a) We have a formal process to orient and educate new recruits to the Board regarding the role of the Board, its committees and its directors, as well as the nature and operations of our business.  This process provides for an orientation day with key members of the management staff, and further provides key reference and background materials, such as the current board approved business and strategic plan, the most recent board approved budget, the most recent annual report, the audited financial statements and copies of the interim quarterly financial statements.  We also provide new directors with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Program, and the charters for each committee of the Board, each of which has been approved by the Board.

(b) The Board provides continuing education for its directors, as required, to maintain the skills and knowledge necessary to meet his or her obligations as directors.

5. Ethical Business Conduct

The Board has adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics and compliance program (the "Code").  The Code was adopted by the Board on July 16, 2004 and amended April 24, 2008.  The Code has been filed as an Exhibit to our Form 10-KSB filed on July 29, 2004 and the amended Code has been filed as an Exhibit to our Form 10-QSB filed on September 15, 2008.  The Code is also available on our website at www.counterpath.com.

Employees, officers and directors and contractors are required read the Code and acknowledge through signature annually, that they understand the standards and policies contained in the Code and agree to comply fully with the standards, policies and procedures contained in the Code and our company's related policies and procedures including the obligation to report any suspected violations of the Code.

The Board encourages and promotes a culture of ethical business conduct through the adoption and monitoring of the Code, the insider trading policy, the whistle-blower policy and such other policies that may be adopted from time to time.  The Board conducts regular reviews with management for compliance with such policies.

6. Nomination of Directors

(a) Our independent directors meet at least twice yearly and are responsible for identifying new director nominees. All director nominees are recommended for nomination to the Board by a majority of our independent directors in a vote in which only independent directors participate.

(b) In identifying candidates for membership on the Board, the independent directors take into account all factors they considers appropriate, which may include strength of character, mature judgment, career specialization, relevant technical skills, diversity and the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board.  As part of the process, the independent directors are responsible for conducting background searches, and are empowered to retain search firms to assist in the nominations process.  Once candidates have gone through a screening process and met with a number of the existing directors, they are formally put forward as nominees for approval by the Board.


7. Compensation

(a) The Board has appointed a Compensation Committee, which is responsible for, among other things, developing our company's approach to executive compensation and periodically reviewing the compensation of the directors. 

(b) The Compensation Committee reviews and approves annual salaries, bonuses and other forms and items of compensation for our senior officers.  Except for plans that are, in accordance with their terms or as required by law, administered by the Board or another particularly designated group, the Compensation Committee also administers and implements all of our stock option and other equity-based benefit plans, recommends changes or additions to those plans, and reports to the Board on compensation matters.

8. Other Board Committees

None other than the audit committee and compensation committee.

9. Assessments

The Board intends that individual director assessments be conducted by other directors, taking into account each director's contributions at board meetings, service on committees, experience base, and their general ability to contribute to one or more of our company's major needs.  However, due to its stage of development and its need to deal with other urgent priorities, the Board has not yet implemented such a formal process of assessment.

10. Director Term Limits and Other Mechanisms of Board Renewal

Our company has not adopted term limits for its directors. Our company has not adopted such term limits as it is of the view that an arbitrary term limit could force certain directors which have experience, expertise and operational insight as to the business of our company to not stand for re-election, thus depriving the Board of members that have key competencies that might not be easily replaced. The entire Board is responsible for assessing the effectiveness of the directors and renewal is one of the factors the Board utilizes in its evaluation.

11. Policies Regarding the Representation of Women on the Board

Our company has not adopted a written policy relating to the identification of women directors. The Board is required to annually develop and update a long term plan for the composition of the Board and one of the factors that it considers is diversity, including gender diversity. Other factors that the Board takes into consideration are the current strengths, skills and experience on the Board, any planned retirement dates and the strategic direction of our company. Accordingly, the Board does not believe a written policy relating solely to the identification of women directors is necessary.

12. Consideration of the Representation of Women in the Director Identification and Selection Process

The Board considers the diversity of the Board, including the level of representation of women, as one of the factors in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election to the Board of Directors. The other factors that the Board considers are: the competencies and skills that the Board considers to be necessary for the Board, as a whole, to possess; the competencies and skills that the Board considers each existing trustee to possess; the competencies and skills each new nominee will bring to the Board; the time and energy of the proposed nominee to devote to the tasks; and, the understanding by the proposed nominee of the nature of the business and operations of our company.


13. Consideration Given to the Representation of Women in Executive Officer Appointments

The Compensation Committee considers diversity generally (which includes gender diversity) when recommending candidates as executive officers of our company in the same way the Board does with its evaluation of potential director nominees.

14. Issuer's Targets Regarding the Representation of Women on the Board and in Executive Officer Positions

Our company has not adopted a target regarding women on the Board.  Diversity, including gender diversity, is one of the factors that the Board considers in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election to the Board. The other factors that the Board considers are described in Item 12 above. The Board believes all of these factors are relevant to ensure high functioning board members and that establishing targets based upon only one of these factors may disqualify desirable trustee candidates.

Our company has not adopted a target regarding women in executive officer positions of our company. Our company believes that the Board needs to be able to assess a candidate's qualities and competencies as a whole instead of emphasizing on gender, which also prevents situations where an individual could be perceived as not having been nominated solely on the basis of such individual's merits.

15. Number of Women on the Board and in Executive Officer Positions

None of the directors of our company are women.  None of the executive officers of our company are women.


Appendix A

CounterPath Corporation

Board Mandate

Statutory Power of the Board

The board of directors of CounterPath Corporation (the "Company") is elected by the shareholders of the Company and has the statutory power and obligation to supervise the management of the Company. The role of the board is primarily one of stewardship.  Although directors are elected by shareholders, a director's duty is owed first and foremost to the Company and not to a particular constituency.

Fiduciary Duty and Duty of Care

The board's fundamental relationship with the Company is guided by a fiduciary principle that requires each director to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company.  In exercising their powers and discharging their duties, every director must exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.  These principles require a director to put the Company's interests first, avoid conflicts of interest and avoid exploiting business opportunities of the Company for self-interest purposes.  This mandate is not intended to expand upon the standards of conduct prescribed under statutory or regulatory requirements for directors of a corporation.

The board may designate the officers of the Company, specify their duties and delegate to them powers to manage the day to day business and affairs of the Company.  In addition, the board discharges its responsibilities through standing committees such as the audit committee and the compensation committee and may also periodically form special committees to address specific issues of a more short-term nature.  The duties and responsibilities delegated to standing committees of the board are prescribed in the charters for such standing committees.

Additionally, absent actual knowledge to the contrary, the board shall be entitled to rely on (i) the integrity of those persons or organizations within or outside the Company from which it receives information, (ii) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided by such person or organization, and (iii) representations made by management and such persons or organizations in relation to any services provided by such persons or organizations to the Company and its subsidiaries.

Primary Board Roles

The board's primary roles are to oversee corporate performance and provide quality, depth and continuity of management to meet the Company's strategic objectives.  The board will focus its attention on the following key responsibilities:

 Appoint and oversee the Chief Executive Officer and other senior officers.

The board will appoint, monitor and evaluate the performance of the chief executive officer and key employees, settle the terms of employment of the chief executive officer and key employees, with input from the compensation committee, approve organizational changes and ensure that adequate planning is undertaken for management training, development and succession.

 Oversee strategy implementation and performance.

The board will review and evaluate a strategic planning process developed by management and will provide guidance regarding the process.  The board will monitor management's implementation of the process and provide ongoing advice on strategic planning matters for the Company.  The board will provide guidance regarding changes required to improve corporate performance in terms of profitability, growth and competitive strength.  The board will approve, at least on an annual basis, a business plan for the Company which takes into account, among other things, the opportunities and risks of the business.


 Monitor the financial performance of the Company and other financial reporting matters.

The board will approve the audited financial statements and interim financial statements of the Company, and the notes thereto and the management's discussion and analysis accompanying such financial statements and such other financial reports as the board, with input from the audit committee, is required to approve from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws and the rules of any stock exchange on which the Company's securities are listed for trading.

 Identify and oversee management of principal business risks.

The board will, among other actions, require periodic reports from management describing the Company's programs and systems for identifying financial and other business risks and for managing such risks and protecting corporate assets such as intellectual property, confidential information, physical property and employees.  The board will provide advice to management regarding any changes or improvements necessary or desirable to improve the Company's management of its principal business risks.

 Monitor the legal and ethical performance of the Company.

The board will seek assurances that the Company adheres to and complies with all applicable laws and legal standards and ensure that processes and policies are established and communicated to management and other employees to encourage appropriate attention to legal compliance issues, including compliance with contractual obligations and claims against the Company, as well as timely reporting of significant legal matters to the board. 

The board will seek assurances from the chief executive officer, the Corporate Counsel and management that the company's business is conducted in a manner that reflects strict adherence to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Compliance and core corporate values and that the chief executive officer and management create a culture of integrity throughout the Company.

 Maintain shareholder relations.

The board will seek assurances from management that the Company makes complete, accurate and timely disclosure of material information and complies with disclosure requirements prescribed in securities legislation.  The board will ensure that the Company makes such disclosure directly to shareholders or indirectly to shareholders through the financial press, analysts, employees and other corporate stakeholders and regulatory authorities with regard to the plans, decisions, prospects and financial results of the Company and receives feedback from such stakeholders.

 Oversee internal control and management information systems.

The board, or such committee as designated by the board, will review periodic reports describing the Company's internal control systems and management information systems and provide advice on changes required to improve the adequacy of the systems as well as oversee the Company's compliance with applicable audit, accounting and financial reports and requirements. 

The Board's Commitment

The board undertakes to maintain an independent view of the Company's strategic direction, the chief executive officer and management.  The board will continually seek to improve its effectiveness by:


 creating an atmosphere of intellectual honesty and promoting a culture of integrity within the Company and adherence to core corporate values; 

 preparing for and attending board meetings and promoting open, constructive and critical dialogue among board members and between board members and management; 

 keeping up to date on the Company, its business, principal risks and strategy, and engaging in dialogue inside and outside the boardroom on substantive issues;

 stating questions and concerns regarding the Company, its business, principal risks or other matters or issues as they arise;

 sharing perspectives, experience and judgment with and providing guidance and strategic direction to management;

 continually assessing management's operational performance in executing the Company's business plan and evaluating the adequacy of controls in audit and performance;

 declaring any conflicts of interest, real or perceived; 

 continually seeking ways to assess and improve overall board performance; and 

 adhering to this mandate and reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of the mandate at least annually.

Majority Voting Policy

For so long as the Company has securities listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"), the following will apply in connection with a meeting of stockholders of the Company for the purpose of electing directors (each, a "Director") to the Company's board of directors:

Each Director must be elected by a majority (50% + 1 vote) of the votes cast with respect to his or her election other than at contested meetings (i.e., a meeting at which the number of directors nominated for election is greater than the number of seats available on the board).  Any nominee who receives a greater number of votes "withheld" than votes "for" will tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the board promptly following the meeting stockholders at which Directors are nominated for election. The Company's Independent Directors will consider the offer of resignation and will make a recommendation to the board on whether to accept it. In considering whether or not to recommend acceptance of the resignation, the Independent Directors will consider all factors deemed relevant by its members. The board will be expected to accept the resignation absent exceptional circumstances.  The board will make its final decision and announce it in a press release within 90 days following the relevant stockholders' meeting. A Director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this policy will not participate in any meeting of the board at which the resignation is considered.

Where the board accepts the resignation of a Director, the board may, subject to applicable laws, the articles and/or bylaws of the Company and any previously-passed stockholders resolutions, exercise its discretion with respect to the resulting vacancy and may, without limitation, leave the vacancy unfilled until the next annual meeting of stockholders, fill the vacancy through the appointment of a new Director whom the board considers to merit the confidence of the stockholders, or call a special meeting of stockholders to elect a new nominee to fill the vacant position. If any Director fails to tender his or her resignation as contemplated by this policy, the board will not re-nominate that Director at the next election.



 



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