Document:

Exhibit 4.5

 

 

2016 MANAGEMENT SHARE OPTION PLAN

 

Brookfield Asset Management Inc.

 

December 6, 2016

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

	
GENERAL PROVISIONS
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
PURPOSE
    	
1
    
	
ADMINISTRATION
    	
1
    
	
INTERPRETATION
    	
1
    
	
SHARES   RESERVED
    	
4
    
	
NON-EXCLUSIVITY
    	
5
    
	
AMENDMENT   AND TERMINATION
    	
5
    
	
COMPLIANCE   WITH LEGISLATION
    	
7
    
	
RIGHT   OF SERVICE
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
OPTIONS
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
GRANTS
    	
7
    
	
OPTION   EXERCISE PRICE
    	
8
    
	
EXERCISE   OF OPTIONS
    	
8
    
	
CHANGE   IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS
    	
10
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
APPROVAL AND AMENDMENTS
    	
11
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
APPROVAL
    	
11
    
	
AMENDMENTS
    	
11
    

 

 

2016  MANAGEMENT SHARE OPTION PLAN

 

SECTION 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

1.1                               Purpose

 

The purpose of the 2016 Management Share Option Plan (the “Plan”) of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (herein called the “Corporation”) is to advance the interests of the Corporation by (i) providing Eligible Persons (defined below) with additional incentive; (ii) encouraging stock ownership by Eligible Persons; (iii) increasing the proprietary interest of Eligible Persons in the success of the Corporation; (iv) encouraging Eligible Persons to remain with the Corporation and its Affiliates; and (v) attracting new employees and officers.

 

1.2                               Administration

 

(a)                                 The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”).

 

(b)                                 Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Board shall have the authority (i) to grant options (“Options”) to acquire Class A Limited Voting Shares of the Corporation (“Class A Shares”) to Eligible Persons; (ii) to determine the terms, limitations, restrictions and conditions upon such grants, including vesting, exercise and hold periods; (iii) to determine whether an Eligible Person will receive a benefit under, or in respect of, an Option even if the Option has Vested and been exercised; (iv) to interpret the Plan and to adopt, amend and rescind such administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations relating to the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable; and (v) to make all other determinations and to take all other actions in connection with the implementation and administration of the Plan as it may deem necessary or advisable.  The Board’s guidelines, rules, regulations, interpretations and determinations shall be conclusive and binding upon the Corporation and all other persons.

 

1.3                               Interpretation

 

For the purposes of this Plan, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

(a)                                 “Affiliate” means any entity which is an “affiliate” of the Corporation for the purposes of Ontario Securities Commission National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus and Registration Exemptions, as amended from time to time, or any related body corporate.

 

(b)                                 “Australian Participant” means each Participant who is resident in Australia at the time of grant of an Option, provided that the Board may deem any Participant to be an Australian Participant or may provide that a Participant who is resident in Australia at the time of grant of an Option is not an Australian Participant.

 

(c)                                  “Blackout Period” means the period imposed by the Corporation, during which specified individuals, including insiders of the Corporation, may not trade in the Corporation’s securities (including, for greater certainty, where specific individuals are restricted from

 

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trading because they have material non-public information), but does not include any period when a regulator has halted trading in the Corporation’s securities.

 

(d)                                 “Board” has the meaning set out in Section 1.2(a).

 

(e)                                  “Brookfield Group” means Brookfield Asset Management Inc., and any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

 

(f)                                   “Cause” means

 

(i)                                     A Participant’s willful failure or refusal to perform his or her employment duties after being given notice and a reasonable opportunity to remedy such failure or refusal;

 

(ii)                                  A Participant’s gross misconduct in connection with the Participant’s employment;

 

(iii)                               A Participant’s act of dishonesty or breach of trust in connection with the Participant’s employment;

 

(iv)                              A Participant’s conviction of, or a plea of guilty or no contest to, any indictable criminal offence or any other criminal offence involving fraud, dishonesty or misappropriation;

 

(v)                                 A Participant’s conduct which is likely to injure the reputation or business of the Brookfield Group, including, without limitation, any breach of the Corporation’s Code of Conduct or the willful violation by the Participant of any of the Brookfield Group’s policies;

 

(vi)                              A Participant’s breach of confidentiality, non-solicitation or non-competition obligations; or

 

(vii)                           Any other conduct of a Participant which would be treated as cause under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the termination occurs.

 

(g)                                  “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

 

(h)                                 “Consultant” has the meaning given to such term in Ontario Securities Commission National Instrument 45-106 — Trades to Employees, Senior Officers, Directors and Consultants, as amended from time to time.

 

(i)                                     “Eligible Persons” means (i) officers, employees or Consultants of the Corporation; (ii) officers, employees or Consultants of any Subsidiary or of any Affiliate; or (iii) any other persons (other than a non-employee director of the Corporation) so designated by the Board of Directors, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

 

(j)                                    “Exercise Period” means the maximum number of years established by the Board after the grant date during which a Vested Option may be exercised, and in no case will be more than 10 years from the date of the grant, except as provided in Section 2.3(b).

 

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(k)                                 “Exercise Price” has the meaning set out in Section 2.2(a).

 

(l)                                     “Expiry Period” has the meaning set out in Section 2.3(b).

 

(m)                             “Fair Market Value” means, for any Option or Class A Share,  the closing price of a Class A Share on the NYSE immediately preceding the notice of exercise. For clarity, if the notice of exercise is received before the NYSE closes, the prior trading day’s closing price will apply; if the notice of exercise is received after the NYSE closes on a trading day, that day’s closing price will apply.

 

(n)                                 “Hold Period” has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(a).

 

(o)                                 “NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange or successor thereto.

 

(p)                                 “Option Agreement” has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(c).

 

(q)                                 “Participants” means Eligible Persons to whom Options have been granted and remain outstanding.

 

(r)                                    “Retirement” means the resignation of a Participant who is determined by the Board, in its discretion, to be retiring.

 

(s)                                   “Security-Based Compensation Arrangement” has the meaning set out in Section 1.4(c).

 

(t)                                    “Specified Maximum” has the meaning set out in Section 1.4(b).

 

(u)                                 “Termination Date” means the last day of a Participant’s active employment with the Corporation, or an Affiliate of the Corporation, as the case may be, as further clarified below:

 

(i)                                     in the event a Participant’s employment is terminated by the Corporation or an Affiliate for any reason, the last day of active employment will be the date and time notice of termination is delivered to the Participant and will not include any period of statutory or reasonable notice, deemed employment, pay in lieu of notice or salary continuance provided or required to be provided by the Corporation to the Participant;

 

(ii)                                  in the event of a continuous leave of absence (including for disability), the Participant’s Termination Date will be the earlier of the date of termination of employment and two years from the start of the Participant’s leave;

 

(iii)                               in the event of a Participant’s resignation or Retirement, the last day of active employment will be the effective date of resignation or Retirement;

 

(iv)                              in the event of a Participant’s death, the last day of active employment means the date of the Participant’s death; and

 

(v)                                 in the case of Consultants, the Termination Date means the date notice of termination of the consulting relationship is effective.

 

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(v)                                 “TSX” means the Toronto Stock Exchange or any successor thereto.

 

(w)                               “TSX Rules” has the meaning set out in Section 1.4(c).

 

(x)                                 “Underlying Share” means a Class A Share issuable upon the exercise of an Option.

 

(y)                                 “US Participant” means each Participant who is a United States citizen or resident.

 

(z)                                  “Vested” means the Vesting Period has expired and the Option is exercisable.

 

(aa)                          “Vesting Period” means any period imposed by the Board before a granted option becomes Vested and exercisable.

 

(bb)                          “Withholdings” means all taxes and any other source deductions or amounts which the Corporation is required by applicable law to withhold from any amounts to be paid or credited under this Plan.

 

Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing the masculine shall include the feminine.

 

The Plan and all matters to which reference is made herein shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

1.4                               Shares Reserved

 

(a)                                 All shares of the Corporation issued under the Plan shall be Class A Shares in the capital stock of the Corporation. Options may be granted in respect of authorized and unissued Class A Shares.

 

(b)                                 The maximum number of Class A Shares (“Specified Maximum”) that may be reserved for issuance for all purposes under the Plan shall be 15,000,000 Class A Shares.  Where upon exercise of an Option, the number of Class A Shares issued to, or for the benefit of, the Participant as determined in accordance with Section 2.3(d) of the Plan will be deducted from the Specified Maximum. The Specified Maximum is subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

 

(c)                                  The maximum number of Class A Shares that may be reserved for issuance to any one person under the Plan shall not exceed 5% of the outstanding Class A Shares (on a non-diluted basis), less the aggregate number of Class A Shares reserved for issuance to such person under any other security-based compensation arrangement (“Security-Based Compensation Arrangement”), as such term is defined in the Toronto Stock Exchange  Company Manual (the “TSX Rules”), of the Corporation.

 

(d)                                 The maximum number of Class A Shares that are issuable to insiders of the Corporation at any time pursuant to the exercise of Options granted under the Plan and issuable under all other Security-Based Compensation Arrangements of the Corporation shall not exceed 10% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Class A Shares.

 

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(e)                                  The maximum number of Class A Shares that are issued to insiders of the Corporation within a one-year period pursuant to the exercise of Options granted under the Plan and issued under all other Security-Based Compensation Arrangements of the Corporation shall not exceed 10% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Class A Shares.

 

(f)                                   Any Class A Share which is subject to an Option which has been granted under the Plan and for any reason is cancelled or terminated without having been exercised shall again be available for grant under the Plan. For clarity, Class A Shares underlying Options disposed of pursuant to Section 2.3 (d)(ii) or 2.3 (d)(iii) will be deducted from the Specified Maximum and will not again be available for grant under the Plan.  No fractional shares shall be issued, and the Board may determine the manner in which fractional share value shall be treated.

 

(g)                                  In the event of any change in the outstanding Class A Shares by reason of any stock dividend or split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares, or other corporate change, the Board shall make, subject to applicable law and the prior approval of the relevant stock exchanges, appropriate substitution or adjustment in (i) the number or kind of shares or other securities reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan; (ii) the number and kind of shares subject to unexercised Options theretofore granted; and (iii) the Exercise Price of such Options; provided, however, that no substitution or adjustment shall obligate the Corporation to issue or sell fractional shares.

 

(h)                                 In the event of the reorganization of the Corporation or the amalgamation, merger or consolidation of the Corporation with another corporation, or the payment of a special or extraordinary dividend, the Board shall, subject to applicable law, make such provision for the protection of the rights of Participants as the Board in its discretion deems appropriate.

 

1.5                               Non-Exclusivity

 

Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to any required approval.

 

1.6                               Amendment and Termination

 

(a)                                 The Board may amend, suspend or terminate this Plan, or any portion thereof, at any time, subject to those provisions of applicable law (including, without limitation, the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX) if any, that require the approval of shareholders or any governmental or regulatory body.  However, except as expressly set forth herein, no action of the Board, or shareholders may adversely alter or impair the rights of a Participant without the consent of the affected Participant, under any Option previously granted to the Participant.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board may make the following types of amendments to the Plan without seeking shareholder approval:

 

(i)                                     amendments of a “housekeeping” or administrative nature including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any amendment for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, error or omission in the Plan or to correct or supplement

 

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any provision of the Plan that is inconsistent with any other provision of the Plan;

 

(ii)                                  amendments necessary to comply with the provisions of applicable law (including, without limitation, the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX and the NYSE);

 

(iii)                               amendments necessary for awards to qualify for favorable treatment under applicable tax laws;

 

(iv)                              any amendment to the vesting provisions of the Plan or any Option;

 

(v)                                 any amendment to the termination or early termination provisions of the Plan or any Option, whether or not such Option is held by an insider, provided such amendment does not entail an extension beyond the Expiry Period;

 

(vi)                              the addition or modification of a cashless exercise feature, payable in cash or Class A Shares, which provides for a full deduction of the number of underlying Class A Shares from the Plan reserve;

 

(vii)                           amendments necessary to suspend or terminate the Plan.

 

(b)                                 Shareholder approval will be required for the following types of amendments:

 

(i)                                     amendments to the number of Class A Shares issuable under the Plan, including an increase to a fixed maximum number of Class A Shares or a change from a fixed maximum number of Class A Shares to a fixed maximum percentage;

 

(ii)                                  any amendment to the Plan that increases the length of the period after a Blackout Period during which Options may be exercised;

 

(iii)                               any amendment which would result in the Exercise Price for any Option granted under the Plan being lower than the fair market value of the Class A Shares at the time the Option is granted;

 

(iv)                              any amendment which reduces the Exercise Price or purchase price of an Option, other than pursuant to Section 1.4(g) and 1.4(h) of the Plan;

 

(v)                                 any amendment expanding the categories of Eligible Person which may permit the introduction or reintroduction of non-employee directors on a discretionary basis or any amendment to remove or exceed the insider participation limit;

 

(vi)                              any amendment extending the term of an Option beyond its Expiry Period, except as provided in Section 2.3(b);

 

(vii)                           any amendment which would permit Options to be transferable or assignable other than for normal estate planning purposes;

 

(viii)                        any amendment to the amendment provisions; and

 

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(ix)                              amendments required to be approved by shareholders under applicable law (including, without limitation, the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX).

 

1.7                               Compliance with Legislation

 

The Board may postpone any exercise of any Option or the issue of any Underlying Shares pursuant to the Plan for such time as the Board in its discretion may deem necessary in order to permit the Corporation to effect or maintain registration of the Plan or the Class A Shares issuable pursuant thereto under the securities laws of any applicable jurisdiction, or to determine that such shares and the Plan are exempt from such registration.  The Corporation shall not be obligated by any provision of the Plan or grant thereunder to sell or issue Class A Shares in violation of the law of any government or regulatory body having jurisdiction therein.  In addition, the Corporation shall have no obligation to issue any Class A Shares pursuant to the Plan unless such Class A Shares shall have been duly listed, upon official notice of issuance, with a stock exchange on which such Class A Shares are listed for trading.

 

Compensation payable under the Plan to US Participants is intended not to be subject to U.S. federal income tax under Section 409A of the Code and the Plan shall be construed, interpreted and administered in compliance with such intent. The Board is hereby authorized to amend the Plan or any award under the Plan to achieve such intent.

 

With respect to any Australian Participants, or Participants to which Australian legislation applies, if this Plan provides for a payment or benefits that is greater than permitted under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), without the need to obtain any form of shareholder approval, then the payment or benefit will be reduced to the greatest amount permitted without the need for such shareholder approval and there will be no need for such shareholder approval and there will be no obligation on any entity in the Brookfield Group to seek shareholder approval.

 

1.8                               Right of Service

 

Neither participation in the Plan nor any action under the Plan shall be construed to give any Participant a right to be retained in the services of the Corporation, or Affiliate as the case may be.

 

SECTION 2.  OPTIONS

 

2.1                               Grants

 

(a)                                 Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the authority to determine the limitations, restrictions and conditions, if any, in addition to those set forth in Sections 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 hereof, applicable to the exercise of an Option, including, without limitation, the nature and duration of the restrictions, if any, to be imposed upon the sale or other disposition of the Underlying Shares, and the nature of the events, if any, and the duration of the period in which any Participant’s rights in respect of the Underlying Shares may be forfeited (the “Hold Period”).

 

(b)                                 An Eligible Person may receive Options on more than one occasion under the Plan and may receive separate Options on any one occasion.

 

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(c)                                  Each grant of an Option shall be confirmed by an agreement (an “Option Agreement”) executed by the Corporation and by the Participant.

 

2.2                               Option Exercise Price

 

(a)                                 The Board shall establish the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) of each Option at the time such Option is granted, which shall be awarded in US dollars and shall not be less than the closing price of a Class A Share on the NYSE on the last trading day preceding the date of grant of such Option, except as provided for below in (b), and in all cases shall not be less than such amount required by applicable regulatory authorities from time to time.

 

(b)                                 In the event that the approval date for Options to be granted falls within a Blackout Period, the effective grant date for such Options will be no earlier than six business days after the date on which the Blackout Period ends, and the Exercise Price for such Options shall not be less than the volume-weighted average price of a Class A Share on the NYSE for the five business days preceding the effective grant date.

 

(c)                                  The Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4(g) and 1.4(h) hereof.

 

2.3                               Exercise of Options

 

(a)                                 The Board may determine when any Option shall become Vested and exercisable (the “Vesting Period”) and may determine that the Option shall be Vested in installments. Unless otherwise specified in the Option Agreement or other agreement with the Participant, Options become Vested as to 20% at the first anniversary date after the grant and as to 20% at the end of each subsequent anniversary date up to and including the fifth anniversary date of the grant.

 

(b)                                 The Board may determine the maximum period following the grant date during which a Vested Option may be exercised (the “Expiry Period”), subject to the provision that Options shall not be exercisable later than 10 years after the date of grant, provided that, if an Option would otherwise expire during a Blackout Period or within 10 days after the end of the Blackout Period, the term of such Option shall automatically be extended until 10 days after the end of the Blackout Period.

 

(c)                                  The Board may establish the minimum Hold Periods for Class A Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of Options under the Plan for designated senior executives.

 

(d)                                 Subject to (a), (b) and (c) above, the discretion of the Board, the applicable provisions of Section 2.4 below and Appendix A (with respect to Australian Participants), a Vested Option may be exercised or disposed of at the election of a Participant by one of the following three methods:

 

(i)                                     the purchase of the Underlying Shares by delivery of a cheque to the Corporation in the amount of the Exercise Price and applicable Withholdings, under the terms of the Option;

 

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(ii)                                  the disposition of Options by the Participant in exchange for an amount equal to (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Options, minus (B) the aggregate Exercise Price of the Options, minus (C) applicable Withholdings. The Corporation shall satisfy the payment of such amount by issuing to the Participant such number of Class A Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number) with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount, provided that the Participant may direct that such Class A Shares be sold in the capital markets by Brookfield Securities Corp., or such other securities dealer as designated by the Corporation, and the proceeds received from such sale be delivered to the Participant. The transfer costs incurred to sell the Class A Shares will be deducted from the net proceeds payable to the Participant; or

 

(iii)                               the delivery of a cheque payable to the Corporation in the amount of the applicable Withholdings and the disposition of Options by the Participant in exchange for an amount equal to (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Options, minus (B) the aggregate Exercise Price of the Options. The Corporation shall satisfy the payment of such amount by issuing to the Participant such number of Class A Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number) equal to the amount.

 

(e)                                  The Corporation may withhold applicable Withholdings on the payment of an amount to a Participant pursuant to Appendix A or require a Participant, as a condition of exercise of an Option, to pay or reimburse the Corporation for any applicable Withholdings in connection with the exercise of such Option.

 

(f)                                   A Participant entitled to receive Underlying Shares as a result of the exercise of an Option shall not be deemed for any purpose to be, or to have rights as, a shareholder of the Corporation by such exercise of an Option, except to the extent such shares are issued therefor and then only from the date such shares are issued. No adjustment shall be made for dividends or distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such shares are issued to a Participant pursuant to the exercise of Options.

 

(g)                                  If, as and when any Underlying Shares have been duly issued upon the exercise of an Option and in accordance with the terms of such Option and the Plan and any regulations made hereunder, such Underlying Shares shall be conclusively deemed allotted as fully-paid and non-assessable shares of the Corporation.

 

(h)                                 Options granted pursuant to the Plan may be assigned by the Participant, at the Participant’s request and subject to the Participant obtaining written acknowledgement of the assignment from the Corporation, to: (i) the Participant’s spouse, descendants or any other immediate family member (child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships); (ii) a trust, the beneficiaries of which are one or more of the Participant and the Participant’s spouse, descendants and/or immediate family members; (iii) a corporation or limited liability company controlled by the Participant or by one or more of the Participant and the Participant’s spouse, descendants  and/or immediate family members, the shares  or interests of which are held directly or indirectly by the Participant, the Participant’s

 

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spouse and/or immediate family members; or (iv) such other transferees for estate planning purposes as may be permitted by the Board in its sole discretion.  Notwithstanding a permitted assignment under the Plan, an assigned Option shall be deemed, for the purposes of administering the Plan, to be held by the Participant to whom the Option was initially granted.

 

(i)                                     Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Corporation will not provide financial assistance in respect of the exercise of an Option.

 

2.4                               Change in Employment Status

 

Except as otherwise determined by the Board in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, the following provisions apply to the exercise and cancellation of Options on or following a change in the employment status of a Participant.  For greater certainty, no Option shall be exercisable after its stated Expiry Date, except as set out in Section 2.3(b).

 

(a)                                 In the event of termination of the employment of a Participant by the Corporation or an Affiliate other than with Cause, each of the Vested Options held by the Participant shall cease to be exercisable 60 days after the Participant’s Termination Date. Each Option held by a Participant that is Vested but not exercised by such time shall be cancelled. Each Option held by a Participant that is not Vested by the Termination Date shall be cancelled on the Termination Date.

 

(b)                                 In the event of termination of the employment of a Participant by the Corporation or an Affiliate for Cause, all Options whether Vested or not Vested by the Termination Date shall be cancelled on the Termination Date.

 

(c)                                  In the event of resignation by a Participant, all Options whether Vested or not Vested by the Termination Date shall be cancelled on the Termination Date.

 

(d)                                 In the event of Retirement by a Participant, each of the Vested Options held by the Participant shall continue to be exercisable until its original Expiry Date. Each Option held by a Participant that is Vested but not exercised by such time shall be cancelled. Each Option held by a Participant that is not Vested by the Termination Date shall be cancelled on the Termination Date.

 

(e)                                  In the event of a Participant being on a continuous leave of absence other than as a result of disability, all Options whether Vested or not Vested by the Termination Date shall be cancelled on the Termination Date.

 

(f)                                   In the event of a Participant being on an authorized continuous leave of absence as a result of disability, each of the Vested Options held by the Participant shall cease to be exercisable 60 days after the Participant’s Termination Date. Each Option held by a Participant that is Vested but not exercised by such time shall be cancelled. Each Option held by a Participant that is not Vested by the Termination Date shall be cancelled on the Termination Date.

 

(g)                                  In the event of the death of a Participant, the legal representatives of such Participant may exercise each of the Vested Options held by such Participant for six months after

 

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the Participant’s Termination Date to the extent such Options are by their terms Vested and exercisable by the Termination Date or become so within a period of six months following the Participant’s death. Each Option held by a Participant that is Vested but not exercised by the legal representatives of such Participant by such time shall be cancelled.

 

(h)                                 In the case of a Consultant ceasing to be a Consultant, all Options whether Vested or not Vested by the Termination Date shall be cancelled on the Termination Date.

 

(i)                                     If an Option would otherwise cease to be exercisable during a Blackout Period pursuant to Section 2.4 (a), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g), the term of such Option shall automatically be extended until 10 days after the end of the Blackout Period.

 

SECTION 3.  APPROVAL AND AMENDMENTS

 

3.1                               Approval

 

The Plan was approved by the directors of the Corporation on February 11, 2016 and by the Corporation’s shareholders at the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders held on June 17, 2016.

 

3.2                               Amendments

 

The following amendments to the Plan have been approved by the Board since June 17, 2016:

 

(a)                                 The Plan was amended by the Board on December 6, 2016 to no longer cancel options immediately prior to the death of a Canadian Participant, resulting in alignment of exercise conditions for all Participants in the event of death.

 

11EX-10.20

 Exhibit 10.20 

UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT 

THIS AGREEMENT dated as of the 4th day of August, 2016, by and between Star Gas Partners,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (hereinafter referred to as “Purchaser”), and Bandera Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as “Seller”). 

Statement of Facts: 
 A.
Seller is the beneficial owner of 1,300,000 common units of limited partnership interest of Purchaser (the “Common Units”). 
 B.
Purchaser desires to purchase 1,300,000 Common Units (the “Units) from Seller and Seller desires to sell the Units to Purchaser under the terms and conditions set forth herein below. 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, the parties agree and stipulate as follows: 

1. Purchase and Sale. Purchaser shall purchase (the “Purchase”) the Units from Seller and Seller shall sell the Units
to Purchaser for the price and upon the other terms set forth herein. 
 2. Purchase Price. Purchaser shall pay Seller $ 8.70
per Unit for a total purchase price for the Units of $11,310,000 (the “Purchase Price”). 
 3. Closing. Closing shall
occur on the 5th day of August 2016 (the “Closing Date”), at the offices of Star Gas Partners, L.P., (9 West Broad Street Street-Suite 310, Stamford, CT 06902. 

4. Delivery and Payment for Units. On the Closing Date, Purchaser shall wire the Purchase Price to Seller in accordance with
written wire transfer instructions provided to Purchaser by Seller on or before the Closing Date. Upon receipt of the Purchase Price, Seller shall deliver the Units to Purchaser electronically through DTC in accordance with written instructions
provided by Purchaser to Seller on or before the Closing Date. 
 5. Representations and Warranties of Seller. Seller hereby
represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows: (i) upon receipt of the Purchase Price as provided in this Agreement, Seller will deliver good and valid title to the Units, free and clear from all liens, claims and encumbrances of any nature
whatsoever, other than any liens, claims and encumbrances created by Purchaser, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Seller and this Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered on behalf of Seller, and (iii) Seller has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. 

6. Representations and Warranties of Purchaser. Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows: 

 (a) Power; Due Authorization; Binding Agreement. Purchaser is a limited partnership duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Purchaser and Purchaser
has the full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of
Purchaser and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Purchaser. 
 (b) No Conflicts. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Purchaser does not, and the performance of the terms of this Agreement by Purchaser will not, (i) contravene or conflict with any certificate of limited partnership, limited partnership agreement or any other similar organizational
documents of Purchaser, (ii) require Purchaser to obtain the consent or approval of, or make any filing with or notification to, any governmental body, agency or official of any country or political subdivision of any country, including any
federal, national, supranational, state, provincial, local or other government, governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency or commission or any court, tribunal, or judicial or arbitral body (“Governmental Authority”),
other than any required filing under U.S. federal securities laws, (iii) require the consent or approval of any other person pursuant to any agreement, obligation or instrument binding on Purchaser or its properties and assets,
(iv) conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to Purchaser or pursuant to which any of its assets are bound or (v) violate any other agreement to which Purchaser is a party. 

(c) Material Non-Public Information. To its knowledge, Purchaser has not provided any material non-public information regarding Purchaser to Seller that has not been disclosed to the public prior to the date hereof. 

(d) Accredited Investor. Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined under Securities and Exchange
Commission Regulation D. 
 (e) Acquisition of the Units for Own Account. Purchaser is acquiring the Units for its own account and not
with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution or public offering thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

(f) Private, Negotiated Transaction. Purchaser is aware and hereby acknowledges that the purchase and sale of the Units and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are being made in a private, negotiated transaction between the parties. 
 (g) No
Reliance. Purchaser hereby acknowledges and agrees that Seller has not made any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding any aspect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except as explicitly set forth in this
Agreement, and Seller is not relying on any representation or warranty not contained in this Agreement. 
 7. Securities Law
Representations, Warranties, Covenants, and Releases. In connection with the Purchase, Seller hereby represents, warrants and agrees as follows: 

 (a) Purchaser has informed Seller that Purchaser possesses
non-public information (the “Non-Public Information”) concerning Purchaser, including, without limitation, with respect to Purchaser’s results of
operations and financial condition as of and for its fourth fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016, and Purchaser is precluded from disclosing such information to Seller (the
“Non-Disclosure”); 
 (b) the Non-Public
Information may be indicative of a value of the Units that is higher than the purchase price reflected in the Purchase; 
 (c) Seller is an
experienced and sophisticated investor that would qualify as an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D and Seller is knowledgeable in trading equity securities and understands the disadvantage to which Seller is
subject on account of the disparity of information as between Purchaser and Seller; 
 (d) Seller is not relying on any representations,
warranties or disclosure from Purchaser or any person acting on Purchaser’s behalf in connection with the Purchase; 
 (e) Seller
acknowledges that Purchaser is relying on this Agreement in purchasing the Units and would not purchase the Units in the absence of this Agreement; and 

(f) Seller hereby waives, releases and forever discharges Purchaser from and against any and all claims, demands, causes of action and
liabilities whatsoever, whether known or unknown, both at law and at equity, that it may have against Purchaser on account of the Non-Disclosure, including, without limitation, under Federal and state
securities laws, including Section 10(b) or Rule 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

8. Further Assurances. Purchaser and Seller shall execute and deliver any further documents of whatsoever nature which may be
reasonably necessary to effectuate and consummate the transaction set forth in this Agreement. 
 9. Survival. The
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall survive indefinitely. 
 10. Applicable Law. This Agreement
shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles other than Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law. 

11. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall bind the parties hereto, their legal representatives, their successors and assigns. 

12. Counterparts and Facsimiles. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile and/or electronic signature and/or in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same document. 
 13.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements or representations and understandings. 

 14. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such
provision to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof and all other
conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the essential economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected. Upon such determination that any term or
other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner
in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible. 
 15.
Modification. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties. 

16. Waiver. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed, or will constitute, a waiver of any other
provision, whether or not similar, nor will any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party making the waiver. 

[Signature Page Follows] 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the day
and year first above written. 
  

			
	 PURCHASER:

	
	 STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P.

	 By Kestrel Heat, LLC, general partner

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Richard F. Ambury
	 Name:
	 	Richard F. Ambury
	 Title:
	 	Chief Financial Officer

 
			
	
	 SELLER:

	
	 Bandera Partners, LLC

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ Jeff Gramm
	 Name:
	 	Jeff Gramm
	 Title:
	 	Managing Director

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