EX-99.3 4 d663083dex993.htm EX-99.3 EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

 

LOGO                         

CRESCO LABS INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

AND

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR

WITH RESPECT TO

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

CRESCO LABS INC.

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 30, 2023

DATED May 24, 2023

 


CRESCO LABS INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 30, 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting (the “Meeting”) of the holders (the “Shareholders”) of Subordinate Voting Shares, Proportionate Voting Shares, Super Voting Shares and Special Subordinate Voting Shares (collectively, the “Voting Shares”) of Cresco Labs Inc. (“Cresco” or the “Corporation”) will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) on June 30, 2023 and will be a virtual meeting conducted via live audio webcast. The Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

 

1.

to receive and consider the Corporation’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, together with the auditor’s report thereon (collectively, the “Financial Statements”);

 

2.

to set the number of directors of the Corporation at ten;

 

3.

to elect the directors of the Corporation to serve until the next annual meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected or appointed;

 

4.

to appoint Marcum LLP as independent auditor of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration thereof; and

 

5.

to transact any other business as may properly be brought before the Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement thereof.

The details of all matters proposed to be put before the Shareholders at the Meeting are set forth in the management information circular accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting (the “Information Circular”).

The record date for determination of the Shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting is May 16, 2023 (the “Record Date”). All Shareholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to virtually attend, participate and vote at the Meeting or by proxy.

The Corporation is holding the Meeting as a completely virtual meeting, which will be conducted via live webcast, where all Shareholders regardless of geographic location and equity ownership will have an equal opportunity to participate at the Meeting and engage with directors of the Corporation and management as well as other Shareholders. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting in person. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, participate and vote at the Meeting online at https://web.lumiagm.com/214059994. Beneficial Shareholders (being Shareholders who hold their Voting Shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, custodian, nominee or other intermediary) who have not duly appointed themselves as proxyholder will be able to attend as a guest and view the webcast but not be able to participate or vote at the Meeting.

As a Shareholder of the Corporation, it is very important that you read the Information Circular and other Meeting materials carefully. They contain important information with respect to voting your Voting Shares and attending and participating at the Meeting.

A Shareholder who wishes to appoint a person other than the management nominees identified on the form of proxy or voting instruction form, to represent him, her or it at the Meeting may do so by inserting such person’s name in the blank space provided in the form of proxy or voting instruction form and following the instructions for submitting such form of proxy or voting instruction form. This must be completed prior to registering such proxyholder, which is an additional step to be completed once you have submitted your form of proxy or voting instruction form. If you wish that a person other than the management nominees identified on the form of proxy or voting instruction form attend and participate at the Meeting as your proxy and vote your Voting Shares, including if you are a non-registered Shareholder and wish to appoint yourself as proxyholder to attend, participate and vote at the Meeting, you MUST register such proxyholder after having submitted your form of proxy or voting instruction form identifying such proxyholder. Failure to register the proxyholder will result in the proxyholder not receiving a Username to participate


in the Meeting. Without a Username, proxyholders will not be able to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting. To register a proxyholder, shareholders MUST send an email to appointee@odysseytrust.com and provide Odyssey Trust Company (“Odyssey”) with their proxyholder’s contact information, amount of shares appointed, name in which the shares are registered if they are a registered Shareholder, or name of broker where the shares are held if a beneficial Shareholder, so that Odyssey may provide the proxyholder with a Username via email.

Shareholders should follow the instructions on the forms they receive. If Shareholders with questions should contact their intermediaries or Odyssey, the Corporation’s transfer agent, toll free within North America at 1-888-290-1175, outside of North America at 1-587-885-0960 or by e-mail at proxy@odysseytrust.com.

The Corporation has elected to use the notice-and-access provisions under National Instrument 54-101Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (“NI 54-101”) and National Instrument 51-102Continuous Disclosure Obligations (together with NI 54-101 (collectively, the “Notice-and-Access Provisions”)) for the Meeting. The Notice-and-Access Provisions are a set of rules developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that allow issuers to post electronic versions of proxy-related materials on-line, via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) and one other website, rather than mailing paper copies of such materials to securityholders.

Electronic copies of this Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Information Circular, the Corporation’s management discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and accompanying notes for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 together with the auditor’s report thereon (the “2022 MD&A and Financials”) may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and also on Cresco’s website at www.investors.crescolabs.com.

Shareholders will receive paper copies of a notice package (the “Notice Package”) via pre-paid mail containing a notice with information prescribed by NI 54-101 and a form of proxy (if you are a registered Shareholder) or a voting instruction form (if you are a non-registered Shareholder).

The Corporation will not use procedures known as ‘stratification’ in relation to the use of Notice-and-Access Provisions. Stratification occurs when an issuer using Notice-and-Access Provisions sends a paper copy of the Information Circular to some securityholders with a Notice Package.

Shareholders may obtain paper copies of the Information Circular and the 2022 MD&A and Financials free of charge by contacting Odyssey toll free within North America at 1-888-290-1175 and outside of North America at 1-587-885-0960.

Any shareholder wishing to obtain a paper copy of the meeting materials should submit their request no later than June 15, 2023 in order to receive paper copies of the meeting materials in time to vote before the Meeting. Shareholders may contact Odyssey toll free within North America at 1-888-290-1175 and outside of North America at 1-587-885-0960 to obtain more information about the Notice-and-Access Provisions. Under the Notice-and-Access Provisions, meeting materials will be available for viewing on the Corporation’s website for one year from the date of posting.

DATED as of the 24th day of May, 2023.

Yours truly,

 

(signed) “Thomas J. Manning

Thomas J. Manning

Chairman of the Board

 

ii


CRESCO LABS INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 30, 2023

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR

GENERAL

This management information circular (the “Circular”) is furnished to holders (“Shareholders”) of Subordinate Voting Shares, Proportionate Voting Shares, Super Voting Shares and Special Subordinate Voting Shares (collectively, the “Voting Shares”) of Cresco Labs Inc. (the “Corporation” or “Cresco”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of the Corporation for use at the annual meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”), and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting (the “Notice of Meeting”). This year, the Meeting will be held in a virtual, audio only, online format conducted via live webcast online at: https://web.lumiagm.com/214059994. The Corporation will consider whether to revert to physical in person meeting for future Shareholders’ meetings as circumstances permit.

Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting in person, but will be able to participate online during the Meeting regardless of their geographic location. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders who participate in the Meeting over the internet will still have the opportunity to participate in the question and answer session and vote at the Meeting. Beneficial Shareholders (as defined herein) who do not appoint themselves as their proxyholder will not be able to vote at the Meeting, but will be able to attend the Meeting and observe proceedings as guests. See “Information Concerning Voting”.

The information contained herein is given as of May 16, 2023, the record date for the Meeting (the “Record Date”), except where otherwise indicated.

If you hold Voting Shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, nominee or other intermediary (collectively, an “Intermediary”), you should contact your Intermediary for instructions and assistance in voting the Voting Shares that you beneficially own.

This solicitation is made on behalf of management of the Corporation. The costs incurred in the preparation of both the form of proxy and this Circular will be borne by the Corporation. In addition to the use of mail, subject to the use of Notice-and-Access Provisions (as defined below) in relation to delivery of the meeting materials, proxies may be solicited by telephone or any form of electronic communication or by directors, officers and employees of the Corporation who will not be directly compensated therefor.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in this Circular and, if given or made, such information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Corporation. The delivery of this Circular shall not, under any circumstances, create an implication that there has not been any change in the information set forth herein since the date hereof.

Please read this Circular carefully to obtain information about how you may participate at the Meeting either in person or through the use of proxies.

INFORMATION CONCERNING VOTING

Where and When the Meeting Will Be Held

The Meeting will be held in a virtual, audio only, online format conducted via live webcast online at: https://web.lumiagm.com/214059994 on June 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting.


How Do I Attend and Participate at the Meeting?

The Corporation is holding the Meeting as a completely virtual meeting, which will be conducted via live webcast. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting in person. In order to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting (including for voting and asking questions at the Meeting), Shareholders must have a valid Username.

Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, participate and vote at the Meeting online at https://web.lumiagm.com/214059994. Such persons may then enter the Meeting by clicking “I have a login” and entering a Username and Password before the start of the Meeting:

 

   

Registered Shareholders: The control number located on the form of proxy (or in the email notification you received) is the Username. The Password to the Meeting is “cresco2023” (case sensitive). If as a registered Shareholder you are using your control number to login to the Meeting and you have previously voted, you do not need to vote again when the polls open. By voting at the Meeting, you will revoke your previous voting instructions received prior to voting cut-off.

 

   

Duly appointed proxyholders: Odyssey Trust Company (“Odyssey”) will provide the proxyholder with a Username by e-mail after the voting deadline has passed. The Password to the Meeting is “cresco2023” (case sensitive). Only registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be entitled to attend, participate and vote at the Meeting. Beneficial Shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves as proxyholder will be able to attend the meeting as a guest but not be able to participate or vote at the Meeting. Shareholders who wish to appoint a third party proxyholder to represent them at the Meeting (including Beneficial Shareholders who wish to appoint themselves as proxyholder to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting) MUST submit their duly completed proxy or voting instruction form AND register the proxyholder. See “Appointment of a Third Party as Proxy”.

For more information on how to vote at the Meeting, please refer to Schedule “B” of this Circular, which contains a virtual meeting guide.

Notice-and-Access

The Corporation has elected to use the notice-and-access provisions under National Instrument 54-101Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (“NI 54-101”) and National Instrument 51-102Continuous Disclosure Obligations (collectively, the “Notice-and-Access Provisions”) for the Meeting. The Notice-and-Access Provisions are a set of rules developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that allow issuers to post electronic versions of proxy-related materials on-line, via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) and one other website, rather than mailing paper copies of such materials to securityholders.

Electronic copies of this Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, this Circular, the Corporation’s management’s discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and accompanying notes for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 together with the auditor’s report thereon (the “2022 MD&A and Financials”) may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and also on the Corporation’s website at www.investors.crescolabs.com.

Shareholders will receive paper copies of a notice package (the “Notice Package”) via pre-paid mail containing a notice with information prescribed by NI 54-101 and a form of proxy (if you are a registered Shareholder) or a voting instruction form (if you are a non-registered Shareholder).

The Corporation will not use procedures known as ‘stratification’ in relation to the use of Notice-and-Access Provisions. Stratification occurs when an issuer using Notice-and-Access Provisions sends a paper copy of this Circular to some securityholders with a Notice Package.

Shareholders may obtain paper copies of this Circular and the 2022 MD&A and Financials free of charge by contacting Odyssey toll free within North America at 1-888-290-1175 and outside of North America at 1-587-885-0960.

 

2


Any shareholder wishing to obtain a paper copy of the meeting materials should submit their request no later than June 15, 2023 in order to receive paper copies of the meeting materials in time to vote before the Meeting. Shareholders may contact Odyssey toll free within North America at 1-888-290-1175 and outside of North America at 1-587-885- 0960 to obtain more information about the Notice-and-Access Provisions. Under the Notice-and-Access Provisions, meeting materials will be available for viewing on the Corporation’s website for one year from the date of posting.

PROXY RELATED INFORMATION

Voting at the Meeting

Registered Shareholders may vote at the Meeting by completing a ballot online during the Meeting, as further described above. See “How Do I Attend and Participate at the Meeting?”.

Beneficial Shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves as proxyholder will not be able to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting. This is because the Corporation and its transfer agent do not have a record of the Beneficial Shareholders of the Corporation, and, as a result, will have no knowledge of your shareholdings or entitlement to vote, unless you appoint yourself as proxyholder. If you are a Beneficial Shareholder and wish to vote at the Meeting, you have to appoint yourself as proxyholder, by inserting your own name in the space provided on the voting instruction form sent to you and must follow all of the applicable instructions provided by your intermediary. See “Appointment of a Third Party as Proxy” and “How Do I Attend and Participate at the Meeting?”.

Appointment of Third Party as Proxy

The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy are officers and/or directors of the Corporation and each is a management designee (collectively, the “Management Designees”). Management Designees will vote IN FAVOUR of each of the matters specified in the Notice of Meeting and all other matters proposed by management at the Meeting. Each Shareholder submitting a proxy has the right to appoint a person, who need not be a Shareholder (a “third party proxyholder”), to represent, attend, participate or vote at the Meeting on such Shareholder’s behalf, other than the Management Designees. A Shareholder may exercise this right by completing the steps set forth below and depositing the completed proxy to Odyssey prior to the Proxy Deadline (as defined below).

The following applies to Shareholders who wish to appoint a person (a “third party proxyholder”) other than the Management Designees set forth in the form of proxy or voting instruction form as proxyholder, including Beneficial Shareholders who wish to appoint themselves as proxyholder to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting.

Shareholders who wish to appoint a third party proxyholder to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting as their proxy and vote their Voting Shares MUST submit their proxy or voting instruction form (as applicable) appointing such third party proxyholder AND register the third party proxyholder, as described below. Registering your proxyholder is an additional step to be completed AFTER you have submitted your proxy or voting instruction form. Failure to register the proxyholder will result in the proxyholder not receiving a Username to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting.

 

   

Step 1: Submit your proxy or voting instruction form: To appoint a third party proxyholder, insert such person’s name in the blank space provided in the form of proxy or voting instruction form (if permitted) and follow the instructions for submitting such form of proxy or voting instruction form. This must be completed prior to registering such proxyholder, which is an additional step to be completed once you have submitted your form of proxy or voting instruction form. If you are a Beneficial Shareholder located in the United States, you must also provide Odyssey with a duly completed legal proxy if you wish to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting or, if permitted, appoint a third party as your proxyholder. See below under this section for additional details.

 

   

Register your proxyholder: To register a proxyholder, Shareholders MUST send an email to appointee@odysseytrust.com by 10:00 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) on June 28, 2023 (the “Proxy Deadline”) and provide Odyssey with the required proxyholder contact information, amount of shares appointed, name in which the shares are registered if they are a registered Shareholder, or name of broker where the shares are held if a Beneficial Shareholder, so that Odyssey may provide the proxyholder with a Username via email. Without a Username, proxyholders will not be able to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting.

 

 

3


If you are a Beneficial Shareholder and wish to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting, you have to insert your own name in the space provided on the voting instruction form sent to you by your intermediary, follow all of the applicable instructions provided by your intermediary AND register yourself as your proxyholder, as described above. By doing so, you are instructing your intermediary to appoint you as proxyholder. It is important that you comply with the signature and return instructions provided by your intermediary. Please also see further instructions above under the heading “How Do I Attend and Participate at the Meeting?”.

Legal Proxy – U.S. Beneficial Shareholders

If you are a Beneficial Shareholder located in the United States and wish to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting or, if permitted, appoint a third party as your proxyholder, in addition to the steps described above under “How Do I Attend and Participate at the Meeting?”, you must obtain a valid legal proxy from your intermediary. Follow the instructions from your intermediary included with the legal proxy form and the voting information form sent to you, or contact your intermediary to request a legal proxy form or a legal proxy if you have not received one. After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your intermediary, you must then submit such legal proxy to Odyssey. Requests for registration from Beneficial Shareholders located in the United States that wish to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting or, if permitted, appoint a third party as their proxyholder must be sent by e-mail to appointee@odysseytrust.com and received by the Proxy Deadline.

Refusal of Proxy

The Corporation may refuse to recognize any instrument of proxy received later than the Proxy Deadline.

Revocability of Proxy

A Shareholder who has given a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time prior to the exercise thereof. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a proxy may be revoked by:

 

  (a)

signing a proxy with a later date and delivering it to the place noted above prior to the Proxy Deadline;

 

  (b)

signing and dating a written notice of revocation and delivering it to Odyssey, or by transmitting a revocation by telephonic or electronic means, to Odyssey, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment of it, at which the proxy is to be used, or delivering a written notice of revocation and delivering it to the Chair of the Meeting prior to the commencement of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof; or

 

  (c)

attending the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting and registering with the scrutineer as a Shareholder present.

Advice to Beneficial Holders of Voting Shares

The information in this section is of significant importance to many Shareholders, as a substantial number of Shareholders do not hold their Voting Shares in their own name. Shareholders who do not hold their Voting Shares in their own name, referred to in this Circular as “Beneficial Shareholders,” are advised that only proxies deposited by Shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Corporation as the registered holders of Voting Shares can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting. If Voting Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a Shareholder by an Intermediary, then in almost all cases those Voting Shares will not be registered in the Shareholder’s name on the records of the Corporation. Such Voting Shares will more likely be registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for CDS is Clearing and Depository Services Inc., which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms).

 

4


Existing regulatory policy requires Intermediaries to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of shareholders’ meetings. The various Intermediaries have their own mailing procedures and provide their own return instructions to clients, which should be carefully followed by Beneficial Shareholders in order to ensure that their Voting Shares are voted at the Meeting. The form of proxy supplied to a Beneficial Shareholder by its Intermediary (or the agent of the Intermediary) is substantially similar to the form of proxy provided directly to registered Shareholders by the Corporation. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the registered Shareholder (i.e., the Intermediary or agent of the Intermediary) how to vote on behalf of the Beneficial Shareholder. The vast majority of Intermediaries now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) in Canada. Broadridge typically prepares a machine-readable voting instruction form, mails those forms to Beneficial Shareholders and asks Beneficial Shareholders to return the forms to Broadridge, or otherwise communicate voting instructions to Broadridge (by way of the internet or telephone, for example). Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of shares to be represented at the Meeting. A Beneficial Shareholder who receives a Broadridge voting instruction form cannot use that form to vote Voting Shares directly at the Meeting. The voting instruction forms must be returned to Broadridge (or instructions respecting the voting of Voting Shares must otherwise be communicated to Broadridge) well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the Voting Shares voted. If you have any questions regarding the voting of Voting Shares held through an Intermediary, please contact that Intermediary for assistance.

Although a Beneficial Shareholder may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting, Voting Shares registered in the name of an Intermediary, a Beneficial Shareholder may attend the Meeting as proxyholder for the registered Shareholder and vote the Voting Shares in that capacity. Beneficial Shareholders who wish to virtually attend the Meeting and indirectly vote their Voting Shares as proxyholder for the registered Shareholder, should enter their own names in the blank space on the form of proxy provided to them and return the same to their Intermediary (or the Intermediary’s agent) in accordance with the instructions provided by such Intermediary.

For purposes of applicable securities regulatory policies relating to the dissemination of proxy-related materials and other security holder materials and the request for voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders, there are two categories of Beneficial Shareholders. Non-objecting Beneficial Shareholders (“NOBOs”) are Beneficial Shareholders who have advised their Intermediary that they do not object to their Intermediary disclosing ownership information to the Corporation, consisting of their name, address, e-mail address, securities holdings and preferred language of communication. Securities legislation restricts the use of that information to matters strictly relating to the affairs of the Corporation. Objecting Beneficial Shareholders (“OBOs”) are Beneficial Shareholders who have advised their Intermediary that they object to their Intermediary disclosing such ownership information to the Corporation. Cresco will not send its proxy-related materials directly to NOBOs under National Instrument 54-101. Cresco does not intend to pay for Intermediaries to forward the proxy-related materials and the voting instruction form to OBOs under National Instrument 54-101. In the case of an OBO, the OBO will not receive the materials unless the OBO’s Intermediary assumes the cost of delivery.

Exercise of Discretion with Respect to Proxies

The Voting Shares represented by the enclosed proxy will be voted or withheld from voting on any motion, by ballot or otherwise, in accordance with any indicated instructions contained in a proxy. In the absence of any such direction, such shares will be voted IN FAVOUR of each of the matters set forth in the Notice of Meeting and in this Circular and all other matters proposed by management at the Meeting.

If any amendment or variation to matters identified in the Notice of Meeting is proposed at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or if any other matters properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the enclosed proxy confers discretionary authority to vote on such amendments or variations or such other matters according to the best judgment of the appointed proxyholder. As at the date of this Circular, the management of the Corporation is not aware of any amendments or variations or other matters to come before the Meeting.

 

5


VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES

The authorized share capital of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number of Subordinate Voting Shares, of which 289,757,600 are issued and outstanding as of the Record Date, an unlimited number of Proportionate Voting Shares, of which 123,512 (which are convertible on a 1:200 basis into 24,702,346 Subordinate Voting Shares) are issued and outstanding as of the Record Date, an unlimited number of Super Voting Shares, of which 500,000 are issued and outstanding as of the Record Date, and an unlimited number of Special Subordinate Voting Shares, of which 63,868,296 (which are convertible on a 100,000:1 basis into 639 Subordinate Voting Shares) were issued and outstanding as of the Record Date.

Voting Rights

Each Subordinate Voting Share is entitled to one vote per Subordinate Voting Share, each Proportionate Voting Share is entitled to one vote in respect of each Subordinate Voting Share into which such Proportionate Voting Share could ultimately then be converted, which is currently equal to 200 votes per Proportionate Voting Share, each Super Voting Share is currently entitled to 2,000 votes per Super Voting Share and each Special Subordinate Voting Share is currently entitled to 0.00001 of a vote per Special Subordinate Voting Share on all matters upon which the holders of shares of the Corporation are entitled to vote, in each case as of the Record Date, and holders of Subordinate Voting Shares, Proportionate Voting Shares, Super Voting Shares and Special Subordinate Voting Shares will vote together on all matters subject to a vote of holders of each of those classes of shares as if they were one class of shares, except to the extent that a separate vote of holders as a separate class is required by law or provided by the articles of the Corporation.

As of the date of the Record Date, the Subordinate Voting Shares represent approximately 22%, the Proportionate Voting Shares represent approximately 2%, the Super Voting Shares represent approximately 76%, and the Special Subordinate Voting Shares represent approximately 0.00005% of the voting rights attached to outstanding Voting Shares of the Corporation.

Restricted Securities

The Subordinate Voting Shares, Proportionate Voting Shares and Special Subordinate Voting Shares are “restricted securities” within the meaning of such term under applicable Canadian securities laws. In the event that a take-over bid is made for the Super Voting Shares, the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Special Subordinate Voting Shares will not be entitled to participate in such offer and may not tender their shares into any such offer, whether under the terms of the Subordinate Voting Shares or under any coattail trust or similar agreement. Notwithstanding this, any take-over bid for solely the Super Voting Shares is unlikely, given that by the terms of the investment agreement entered into by the Corporation and the holders of the Super Voting Shares in connection with the issuance of the Super Voting Shares to such holders, upon any sale of Super Voting Shares to an unrelated third-party purchaser, such Super Voting Shares will be redeemed by the Corporation for their issue price. Additionally, holders of Subordinate Voting Shares are entitled to convert to Proportionate Voting Shares and tender to any take-over bid made solely to the holders of Proportionate Voting Shares. In the event that a take-over bid is made for the Subordinate Voting Shares, the holders of Special Subordinate Voting Shares will not be entitled to participate in such offer and may not tender their shares into any such offer, whether under the terms of the Special Subordinate Voting Shares or under any coattail trust or similar agreement, absent being permitted to convert such shares into Subordinate Voting Shares.

Record Date

The record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof is the Record Date. Accordingly, only Shareholders whose names have been entered in the register of Shareholders at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

6


Principal Holders of Securities

To the best of the knowledge of the Corporation, based on publicly available filings, as of the Record Date, no person or company, owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, Voting Shares carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to any class of Voting Shares of the Corporation, except for the following:

 

Name of

Shareholder

   Number and
Percentage of
Super Voting
Shares
Beneficially
Owned, or
Controlled or
Directed, Directly
or Indirectly
    Number and
Percentage of
Proportionate
Voting Shares
Beneficially Owned,
or Controlled or
Directed, Directly

or Indirectly(1)(2)(3)
    Number and
Percentage of
Subordinate Voting
Shares Beneficially
Owned, or
Controlled or
Directed, Directly
or Indirectly(2)
    Number and
Percentage of
Special
Subordinate
Voting Shares
Beneficially
Owned, or
Controlled or
Directed, Directly
or Indirectly(2)(4)
     Percentage of
Votes Attaching to
All Outstanding
Shares Beneficially
Owned, or
Controlled or
Directed, Directly
or Indirectly(5)
 

Charles Bachtell

    

200,000

(40

 

%) 

   

5,313

(4.30

(6) 

%) 

   

413,886

(0.1

 

%) 

    —          30.5

Brian McCormack

    

100,000

(20

 

%) 

    —         —         —          15.2

Robert M. Sampson

    

100,000

(20

 

%) 

   

4

(<0.1

 

%) 

   

0

(0

 

%) 

    —          15.2

Dominic A. Sergi

    

100,000

(20

 

%) 

    —         —         —          15.2

Notes:

 

(1)

Proportionate Voting Shares convert to Subordinate Voting Shares on a 1:200 basis.

(2)

On an issued and undiluted basis, not giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities convertible, redeemable or exchangeable into such shares held by such person, as applicable.

(3)

Excludes holdings of units in Cresco Labs, LLC that are redeemable for Proportionate Voting Shares.

(4)

Special Subordinate Voting Shares convert to Subordinate Voting Shares on a 100,000:1 basis.

(5)

Total voting percentage is based on actual number of votes. The voting percentages differ from beneficial ownership percentages as the Corporation’s Super Voting Shares carry 2,000 votes per Super Voting Share, the Proportionate Voting Shares carry 200 votes per Proportionate Voting Share and the Special Subordinate Voting Shares carry 0.00001 of a vote per Special Subordinate Voting Share.

(6)

Partially owned indirectly through 82.1% ownership in CB2 Initiative LLC.

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

No person who has been a director or executive officer of the Corporation at any time since the beginning of the last financial year, nor any proposed nominee for election as a director of the Corporation, nor any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing, has any material interest, directly or indirectly, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING

To the knowledge of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), the only matters to be brought before the Meeting are those matters set forth in the Notice of Meeting.

 

  1.

Receiving the Financial Statements

The financial statements of the Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, together with the auditor’s report thereon (the “Financial Statements”), have been mailed to the Corporation’s registered and Beneficial Shareholders who requested to receive them. The Financial Statements are also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Financial Statements of the Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 will be placed before the Meeting.

 

7


  2.

Number of Directors and Election of Directors

Nominees

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to (i) fix the number of directors of the Corporation at ten; and (ii) elect, on an individual basis, each of the ten nominees set forth in the table below (the “Cresco Nominees”) as directors of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected or appointed pursuant to the articles of the Corporation, unless their offices are earlier vacated in accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (“BCBCA”) or the Corporation’s articles. Each of the Cresco Nominees has consented to being named in this Circular and to serve as a director, if elected. The present term of office of each current director of the Corporation will expire at the Meeting.

The following table sets forth a brief background regarding the Cresco Nominees. The information contained herein is based upon information furnished by the respective nominees.

 

Name and Province or

State and Country of

Residence                     

  

Director

Since

  

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years

  

Voting Shares
Beneficially
Owned,
Controlled or
Directed, Directly
or Indirectly(1)

Charles Bachtell(2)

Chicago, IL, United States

  

November

2018

   Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation; formerly Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Guaranteed Rate, a residential mortgage company.   

200,000 Super

Voting Shares

413,886

Subordinate

Voting Shares

5,313

Proportionate

Voting Shares

13,102,342 Cresco

Redeemable Units

Robert M. Sampson(3)

Downers Grove, IL, United States

  

November

2018

   Executive Vice President of CrossCountry Mortgage, Inc.; formerly Chief Operating Officer the Corporation, Chief Executive Officer of bemortgage and Chief Operating Officer of Guaranteed Rate, a residential mortgage company.   

100,000 Super

Voting Shares

4 Proportionate

Voting Shares

11,101,049 Cresco

Redeemable Units

John R. Walter(4)

Naples, FL, United States

  

November

2018

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ashlin Management Company, a consulting firm.   

19,702

Subordinate

Voting Shares

1,177

Proportionate

Voting Shares

Gerald F. Corcoran(2)(5)

Winnetka, IL, United States

  

November

2018

   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of R.J. O’Brien & Associates, LLC, a futures brokerage firm.   

997,395 Cresco

Redeemable Units

Thomas J. Manning(6)

Evanston, IL, United States

  

November

2018

   Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation; formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dun and Bradstreet, a data and analytics company.   

500 Proportionate

Voting Shares

Randy D. Podolsky(3)(7)

Lake Forest, IL, United States

  

November

2018

   Managing Principal of Podolsky Circle CORFAC International (now, Colliers International), a real estate company.   

9,851 Subordinate

Voting Shares

814,387 Cresco

Redeemable Units

 

8


Name and Province or

State and Country of

Residence                     

  

Director

Since

  

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years

  

Voting Shares
Beneficially
Owned,
Controlled or
Directed, Directly
or Indirectly(1)

Marc Lustig

Vancouver, British

Columbia, Canada

   January 2020   

Non-Executive Chairman of IM Cannabis Corp. since

2019; Former Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive

Officer of CannaRoyalty Corp. (dba Origin House) from

2016 to 2020; Head of Capital Markets at Dundee Capital

Markets from 2012 to 2014.

  

3,688 Subordinate

Voting Shares

63,868,296

Special Subordinate Voting Shares

Michele Roberts(8)

New York City, NY, United

States

   June 2020    Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association from 2014-2022. Previously, Ms. Roberts was an attorney with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.   

Carol Vallone(2)(9)

Manchester, MA, United States

   July 2020    Carol Vallone currently serves as chair of the Board of Trustees for McLean Hospital and serves on the Board of Trustees and the Finance Committee of Mass General Brigham. Ms. Vallone also serves as board chair of Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc (NASDAQ: MNMD), (NEO: MMED); board member for Arosa, a Bain Capital Double Impact portfolio company; and board chair of Ria Health, a SV Health investors portfolio company. She is an Industry Advisor for the investment firm, Berkshire Partners and an Advisory Board Member of the healthcare-focused venture growth firm, Longitude Capital. Ms. Vallone has also served as founder and Chief Executive Officer of global e-learning companies and held management positions in leading enterprise technology companies.   

19,702

Subordinate

Voting Shares

Tarik Brooks (7)

Los Angeles, CA, United

States

   April 2021    President of Combs Enterprises. Previously, Mr. Brooks was the Chief Operating Officer of Account Management and Trading at Bridgewater Associates, and Executive Vice President at RLJ Companies.   

19,702

Subordinate

Voting Shares

Notes:

 

(1)

Information as to personal shareholdings is given to the Corporation’s knowledge based on publicly available sources and includes any units in Cresco Labs, LLC held by a Cresco Nominee that are redeemable for Proportionate Voting Shares (the “Cresco Redeemable Units”).

(2)

Member of the Executive Committee.

(3)

Member of the Audit Committee.

(4)

Chair of the Compensation Committee.

(5)

Chair of the Audit Committee.

(6)

Chair of the Executive Committee.

(7)

Member of the Nominating and Governance Committee.

(8)

Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee.

(9)

Member of the Compensation Committee.

The enclosed form(s) of proxy allows the Shareholders to direct proxyholders to vote individually for each of the Cresco Nominees as a director of the Corporation. Unless otherwise directed, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote proxies IN FAVOUR of the election of each of the Cresco Nominees as directors of the Corporation.

Cease Trade Orders

To the knowledge of the Corporation, none of the Cresco Nominees (or any personal holding company of a Cresco Nominee) are, as at the date of this Circular, nor have they been within 10 years before the date of this Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Corporation) that, while acting in that capacity, was the subject of a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order or an order that denied

 

9


the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, or after ceasing to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the company, was the subject of a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade 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, which resulted from an event that occurred while acting in such capacity.

Bankruptcies

To the knowledge of the Corporation, none of the Cresco Nominees (or any personal holding company of a Cresco Nominee) are, and have not within the past 10 years been, a director or executive officer of any company, including the Corporation, that, while acting in such capacity, or within a year of ceasing to act in such capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets or has, within the past 10 years, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold any of the Cresco Nominees assets.

Penalties and Sanctions

To the knowledge of the Corporation, none of the Cresco Nominees (or any personal holding company of a Cresco Nominee) have been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority nor entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority or been subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.

 

  3.

Appointment of Auditors

On August 22, 2019, the Corporation first appointed Marcum LLP as independent auditors of the Corporation. At the Meeting, the Shareholders will be asked to reappoint Marcum LLP as independent auditors of the Corporation to serve until the close of the next annual meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration.

Unless otherwise directed to the contrary, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote proxies IN FAVOUR of the appointment of Marcum LLP as independent auditors of the Corporation at remuneration to be fixed by the Board. In order to be effective, the ordinary resolution must be approved by not less than a majority of the votes cast thereon by Shareholders who are present at the Meeting or by proxy.

 

  4.

Other Business

Management is not aware of any other matters to come before the Meeting, other than those set out in the Notice of Meeting. If other matters come before the Meeting, or if there are amendments or variations to the items of business, the Management Designees will have the discretion to vote as he or she sees fit.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Securities legislation requires the disclosure of compensation received by each “Named Executive Officer” of the Corporation for the two most recently completed financial years.

Named Executive Officer” refers to each individual who, during any part of the most recently completed financial year, served as chief executive officer, each individual who, during any part of the most recently completed financial year, served as chief financial officer, and the most highly compensated executive officer, other than the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was more than $150,000 for that financial year. The Corporation currently has three Named Executive Officers.

 

10


Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation

The following table sets forth information concerning all compensation paid, payable, awarded, granted, given or otherwise provided, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, or a subsidiary of the Corporation, to each Named Executive Officer and director, other than stock options (“Options”) and other compensation securities, for each of the two most recently completed financial years.

 

Name and position

   Year    Salary,
consulting fee,
retainer or
commission

($US)
     Bonus
($US)
     Committee
or meeting
fees(1)

($US)
     Value of all
other
compensation

($US)
     Total compensation
($US)
 

Charles Bachtell

Director and Chief Executive Officer(1)

   2022

2021

   $

$

450,000

450,000

 

 

   $

$

549,000

798,476

 

 

    

—  

—  

 

 

   $

$

850

1,200

 

 

   $

$

999,850

1,249,676

 

 

Dennis Olis

Chief Financial Officer

   2022

2021

   $

$

400,000

400,000

 

 

   $

$

222,250

150,000

 

 

    

—  

—  

 

 

   $

$

600

1,200

 

 

   $

$

622,850

551,200

 

 

Thomas Manning

Director and Chairman(1)(2)

   2022

2021

   $

$

360,000

360,000

 

 

   $

$

439,200

518,314

 

 

    

—  

—  

 

 

   $

$

850

1,200

 

 

   $

$

800,050

879,514

 

 

Notes:

 

(1)

All directors were paid $65,000 annually, payable in quarterly installments, in compensation for Board membership in each of 2022 and 2021, respectively. In addition, Committee Chairs receive annual compensation of $15,000 and Committee members receive annual compensation of $7,500, in each case payable in quarterly installments. Each Director receives $225,000 in Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) for Board service, granted annually on the date of the Corporation’s Annual General Meeting.

(2)

Mr. Manning was the Executive Chairman of the Corporation until February 1, 2023, at which time he transitioned to the role of Non- Executive Chairman of the Corporation.

Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities

The following table sets forth certain information in respect of all compensation securities granted or issued to each Named Executive Officer and director by the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries in the financial year of the Corporation ended December 31, 2022 for services provided or to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

 

Compensation Securities(1)

 

Name and position

   Type of
compensation
security(2)
     Number of
compensation
securities,
number of
underlying
securities, and
percentage of
class
     Date of
issue or
grant
     Issue,
conversion

or exercise
price
($US)
     Closing
price of
security or
underlying
security on
date of
grant
($CDN)
     Closing
price of
security or
underlying
security at
year end

($CDN)
     Expiry date  

Charles Bachtell

Director and Chief Executive Officer

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —    

Thomas J. Manning

Director and Chairman

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —    

 

11


Compensation Securities(1)

Name and position

   Type of
compensation
security(2)
  Number of
compensation
securities,
number of
underlying
securities, and
percentage of
class
  Date of
issue or
grant
  Issue,
conversion or
exercise price

($US)
   Closing price of
security or
underlying
security on date
of grant

($CDN)
   Closing price of
security or
underlying
security at year
end

($CDN)
   Expiry date

Dennis Olis

Chief Financial Officer

   Options(3)

and RSUs(3)

  Options
exercisable for

157,928

Subordinate
Voting Shares
(0.1%)

and 69,337

RSUs that can
be settled for

69,337

Subordinate
Voting Shares
(<0.1%)

  32,928

Options
on

January 4,

2022,

125,000(5)
Options on

November

30, 2022
and

69,337

RSUs on

January 4,

2022

  $6.49, $3.29
and $6.49,
respectively
   $8.25, $4.45
and $8.25,
respectively
   $2.45    January 4,

2032 for

32,928

Options and

November

30, 2032
for

125,000

Options

Randy D. Podolsky

Director

   RSUs(4)   68,389 RSUs
that can be
settled for

68,389

Subordinate

Voting Shares

(<0.1%)

  July 15,

2022

  $3.29    $4.20    $2.45    N/A

John R. Walter

Director

   RSUs(4)   68,389 RSUs
that can be
settled for

68,389

Subordinate

Voting Shares

(<0.1%)

  July 15,

2022

  $3.29    $4.20    $2.45    N/A

Gerald F. Corcoran

Director

   RSUs(4)   68,389 RSUs
that can be
settled for

68,389

Subordinate

Voting Shares

(<0.1%)

  July 15,

2022

  $3.29    $4.20    $2.45    N/A

Robert M. Sampson

Director

   RSUs(4)   68,389 RSUs
that can be
settled for

68,389

Subordinate

Voting Shares

(<0.1%)

  July 15,

2022

  $3.29    $4.20    $2.45    N/A

 

12


Compensation Securities(1)

Name and position

  

Type of

compensation
security(2)

   Number of
compensation
securities,
number of
underlying
securities, and
percentage of
class
  Date of
issue or
grant
   Issue,
conversion or
exercise price

($US)
   Closing price of
security or
underlying
security on date
of grant

($CDN)
   Closing price of
security or
underlying
security at year
end

($CDN)
   Expiry date

Michele Roberts

Director

   RSUs(4)    68,389 RSUs
that can be
settled for

68,389

Subordinate

Voting Shares

(<0.1%)

  July 15,

2022

   $3.29    $4.20    $2.45    N/A

Carol Vallone

Director

   RSUs(4)    68,389 RSUs
that can be
settled for

68,389

Subordinate

Voting Shares

(<0.1%)

  July 15,

2022

   $3.29    $4.20    $2.45    N/A

Tarik Brooks

Director

   RSUs(4)    68,389 RSUs
that can be
settled for

68,389

Subordinate
Voting Shares
(<0.1%)

  July 15,

2022

   $3.29    $4.20    $2.45    N/A

Marc Lustig

Director

   RSUs(4)    68,389 RSUs
that can be
settled for

68,389

Subordinate
Voting Shares
(<0.1%)

  July 15,

2022

   $3.29    $4.20    $2.45    N/A

Notes:

 

(1)

As of December 31, 2022, the Named Executive Officers and directors hold the following compensation securities: (i) Charles Bachtell: 6,290,000 Options; (ii) Dennis Olis: 931,737 Options and 75,289 RSUs; (iii) Robert M. Sampson: 79,359 Options and 88,091 RSUs; (iv) John R. Walter: 116,828 Options and 68,389 RSUs; (v) Gerald F. Corcoran: 116,828 Options and 68,389 RSUs; (vi) Thomas J. Manning: 2,119,574 Options; (vii) Randy D. Podolsky: 116,828 Options and 78,240 RSUs; (viii) Michele Roberts: 62,432 Options and 88,091 RSUs; (ix) Carol Vallone: 46,078 Options and 68,389 RSUs; (x) Tarik Brooks: 68,389 RSUs; and (xi) Marc Lustig: 68,389 RSUs. Each Option and each RSU represents the right to acquire one Subordinate Voting Share.

(2)

Represents all compensation securities issued pursuant to the Incentive Plan (as defined herein) to the individual in the financial year of the Corporation ended December 31, 2022.

(3)

Awards vest rateably in one-fourth increments on each of the four anniversaries of the grant date.

(4)

Awards vest fully on the earlier of the date of the Corporation’s 2023 Annual Meeting or the date that is 12 months after the grant date.

(5)

Awards vest rateably at 20%, 30% and 50% each annual anniversary of the grant through November 30th, 2025.

 

13


Exercise of Compensation Securities by Directors and Named Executive Officers

 

Name and position

   Type of
compensation
security
   Number of
underlying
securities
exercised
   Exercise
price
per
security

($US)
     Date of
exercice
   Closing
price per
security
on date
of
exercise

($US)
     Difference
between
exercise price
and closing
price on date
of exercise

($US)
     Total value
on exercise
date ($US)(1)
 

Charles Bachtell

Director and Chief Executive Officer

   Options    130,000

Subordinate
Voting
Shares

   $ 1.14      May 26,

2022

   $ 3.82      $ 2.68      $ 348,400  

Dennis Olis

Chief Financial Officer

   RSUs    2,976

Subordinate
Voting
Shares

     N/A      January 28,
2022
   $ 6.75        N/A      $ 20,097  

Robert M. Sampson

Director

   Options    600,000

Subordinate
Voting
Shares

   $ 1.14      August 25,
2022
   $ 3.74      $ 2.60      $ 1,558,999  

Gerald F. Corcoran

Director

   RSUs    19,702

Subordinate
Voting
Shares

     N/A      June 30,

2022

   $ 2.53        N/A      $ 49,846  

Carol Vallone

Director

   RSUs    19,702

Subordinate
Voting
Shares

     N/A      June 30,

2022

   $ 2.53        N/A      $ 49,846  

John R. Walter

Director

   RSUs    19,702

Subordinate
Voting
Shares

     N/A      June 30,

2022

   $ 2.53        N/A      $ 49,846  

Randy D. Podolsky

Director

   RSUs    9,851

Subordinate
Voting
Shares

     N/A      June 30,

2022

   $ 2.53        N/A      $ 24,923  

Tarik Brooks

Director

   RSUs    19,702

Subordinate
Voting
Shares

     N/A      June 30,

2022

   $ 2.53        N/A      $ 49,846  

Notes:

 

(1)

Calculated by multiplying the number of underlying securities exercised by the difference between the exercise price and the closing price on the date of exercise. Directors can defer the vesting of their award based on section 409A of the U.S. Tax Code. Elections must be made in the year prior to the grant.

 

14


Incentive Plans

2018 Long-term Incentive Plan

On November 29, 2018, the Board adopted a long-term incentive plan (the “Incentive Plan”) which was approved by the Shareholders at the special meeting of Shareholders on November 14, 2018. The Incentive Plan provides that the aggregate number of Subordinate Voting Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the Incentive Plan will be 10% of the number of Subordinate Voting Shares issued and outstanding, on a rolling basis, as may be adjusted from time to time, on a fully diluted and as-converted basis in accordance with the policies of the CSE. Awards that may be granted under the Incentive Plan include Options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, RSUs, performance shares, performance units and other stock-based awards (“Awards”).

The Incentive Plan was established to (i) promote the long-term financial interests and growth of Cresco by attracting and retaining management and other personnel and key service providers with the training, experience and ability to enable them to make a substantial contribution to the success of Cresco’s business, (ii) motivate management personnel by means of growth-related incentives to achieve long-range goals, and (iii) further the alignment of interests of participants in the Incentive Plan with those of the Shareholders of Cresco through opportunities for increased stock or stock-based ownership in Cresco.

The Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee and provides that Awards may be issued to (i) officers and employees of Cresco or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) members of the Board, and (iii) other individuals, including non-employee directors and consultants who provide bona fide services to or for Cresco or any of its subsidiaries, provided that such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for Cresco’s securities. The Compensation Committee establishes the terms of all Awards consistent with the terms of the Incentive Plan, including vesting and maximum terms.

Oversight and Description of Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation

Cresco’s Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the compensation for the directors and the executive officers.

The Compensation Committee’s primary responsibilities include, among other things, assisting the Board with the selection, retention, adequacy and form of the compensation of senior management and the Board. The Compensation Committee has been tasked with establishing an executive compensation program, which includes equity compensation under the Incentive Plan, and the other elements of compensation described under the heading “Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation.

Compensation Objectives and Principles

The primary goal of the Corporation’s executive compensation program is to attract, motivate and retain the key executives necessary for the Corporation’s long-term success, to encourage executives to further the development of the Corporation, and to align the interests of executives with the Corporation’s Shareholders. The key elements of the executive compensation program are: (i) base salary; and (ii) Awards granted under the Incentive Plan.

Compensation Process

The Corporation relies on its Compensation Committee, through discussion without any formal objectives, criteria or analysis, to determine the compensation of the Corporation’s executive officers. The Compensation Committee has not established formal criteria or goals that are tied to total compensation or any significant element of total compensation. The Board is ultimately responsible for all forms of compensation for the Corporation’s executive officers. The Board is responsible for reviewing the recommendations respecting compensation of other officers of the Corporation from time to time, to ensure such arrangements reflect the responsibilities and risks associated with each position. When determining compensation, the Compensation Committee considers a range of factors, including: (i) company performance and individual contributions against key performance indicators, and (ii) peer group benchmarking. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the applicability of the compensation peer group and adjusts the peer group, as necessary, to ensure it remains relevant and comparable with the ever-evolving size and scope of the Corporation’s operations.

 

15


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE

General

The Board views effective corporate governance as an essential element for the effective and efficient operation of the Corporation. The Corporation believes that effective corporate governance improves corporate performance and benefits all its Shareholders. The following statement of corporate governance practices sets out the Board’s review of the Corporation’s governance practices relative to National Instrument 58-101Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“NI 58-101”) and National Policy 58-201Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Board of Directors

The Board, which is responsible for supervising the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, is, as of the date of this Circular, comprised of ten directors, eight of whom are independent as such term is defined in NI 58-101 and in National Instrument 52-110Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”). The independent directors are John R. Walter, Robert M. Sampson, Gerald F. Corcoran, Randy D. Podolsky, Marc Lustig, Michele Roberts, Carol Vallone, and Tarik Brooks. Charles Bachtell, the Chief Executive Officer is not independent by virtue of being a member of the Corporation’s management. Thomas J. Manning was the Executive Chairman of the Corporation within the last three years and as such, is not considered independent.

The independent directors meet for in camera sessions without non-independent directors and members of management at the end of each regular Board meeting (unless such requirement is waived by the independent directors).

Directorships

Certain of the Cresco Nominees are currently directors or officers of other reporting issuers (or equivalent) in a jurisdiction or a foreign jurisdiction as follows:

 

Name

  

Name of Reporting Issuer

  

Name of Exchange
or Market

  

Position

   From  

Thomas J. Manning

  

CommScope Holding Company, Inc.

Chindata Group Holdings Limited

   NASDAQ NASDAQ   

Director

Director

    

2014

2020

 

 

Marc Lustig

  

IM Cannabis Corp. (formerly

Navasota Resources Inc.)

 

PharmaCeielo Ltd. (formerly,

AAJ Capital 1 Corp.)

 

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc.

  

CSE

 

TSXV

 

TSXV

  

Non-Executive Chairman & Director

 

Lead Director

 

Director

    

 

 

2019

 

2020

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Vallone

   Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc.    NASDAQ   

Chair

     2021  

Orientation and Continuing Education of Board Members

The Board has not implemented a formal program for the orientation of new directors. It is expected that existing directors will orient and educate any new members on an informal basis. The Board has also not implemented a formal continuing education program for the directors; however, the Board and the Corporation’s management encourage directors to attend or participate in courses and seminars related to financial literacy, corporate governance and related matters. Each director has the responsibility for ensuring that he or she maintains the skill and knowledge necessary to meet his or her obligations as a director.

 

16


Ethical Business Conduct

The Board expects that the Corporation’s employees, officers, directors and representatives will act with honesty and integrity and will avoid any relationship or activity that might create, or appear to create, a conflict between their personal interest and the interests of the Corporation.

Nomination of Directors

The Board is responsible for nominating individuals for election to the Board by the Corporation’s Shareholders at each annual general meeting of Shareholders. The Board is also responsible for filling vacancies on the Board that may occur between annual general meetings of Shareholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee, in accordance with its charter, is responsible for identifying, reviewing, evaluating and recommending to the Board candidates to serve as directors.

Compensation of Directors and Officers

The Compensation Committee, in accordance with its charter, is responsible for periodically reviewing the compensation and benefits paid to the directors and executive officers of the Corporation in light of market conditions and practice, and risks and responsibilities.

Other Board Committees

The Board has four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Executive Committee.

Assessment of Directors, the Board and Board Committees

The Board monitors the strategic direction and processes of the Board and its committees to ensure that the Board, its committees, and individual directors are performing effectively. Additionally, each director is subject to periodic evaluation of his or her individual performance, and the collective performance of the Board and of each committee of the Board are subject to periodic review.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Pursuant to section 224(1) of the BCBCA and NI 52-110, the Corporation is required to have an Audit Committee comprised of not less than three directors, a majority of whom are not executive officers, control persons or employees of the Corporation or an affiliate of the Corporation. NI 52-110 requires the Corporation, as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its management information circular certain information concerning the constitution of its Audit Committee and its relationship with its independent auditor, as set forth below.

Audit Committee Charter

The Audit Committee Charter is set forth in Schedule “A” attached hereto. The Audit Committee Charter provides that the Audit Committee must consist of at least three directors, a majority of whom must be “independent” and all of whom must be “financially literate” (as defined under NI 52-110).

 

17


Composition of the Audit Committee

Following the Meeting, the Audit Committee is expected to be comprised of:

 

Gerald F. Corcoran    Independent    Financially literate

Robert M. Sampson

  

Independent

  

Financially literate

Randy D. Podolsky

  

Independent

  

Financially literate

Relevant Education and Experience of Audit Committee Members

Gerald F. Corcoran

Gerald F. Corcoran has served as Chief Executive Officer of R.J. O’Brien & Associates, LLC (“RJO”) since 2000 and Chairman of the Board since 2007. Celebrating its Centennial in 2014, Chicago-based RJO is the nation’s oldest and largest independent futures brokerage firm and the last surviving founding member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (now CME Group). Mr. Corcoran joined RJO in 1987 as Chief Financial Officer and served in this capacity until 1992 when he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. RJO is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and subject to PCAOB standards. Therefore, Mr. Corcoran’s service as an executive and a member of the audit committee of RJO provided him with a vast amount of experience navigating highly regulated financial environments. Prior to joining RJO, Mr. Corcoran served as the Controller of the Chicago Sun-Times, which at the time was the nation’s seventh largest daily newspaper. In July 2014, Mr. Corcoran was elected Chairman of the FIA (formerly Futures Industry Association), and he served in that position until March 2016. At that time, following the January merger of the organization with its European and Asian counterparts, he was elected Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the newly unified FIA, the leading trade organization for the futures, options and cleared swaps markets worldwide. Mr. Corcoran served in that role until March 2017. Mr. Corcoran serves on the FIA’s Executive Committee as well as its Americas Advisory Board. He has been a member of FIA’s Board of Directors since March 2008 and served as Vice Chairman from March 2013 until July 2014. Mr. Corcoran also serves on the board of directors and executive committee of the National Futures Association (NFA), the self-regulatory organization for the futures industry and a de facto regulator, of which Mr. Corcoran served on the executive committee for over five years. Mr. Corcoran previously served on the Board of the Institute for Financial Markets and is a former member of the Risk Committee of CME Group. Both the NFA and CME Group are also regulated by the CFTC, further bolstering Mr. Corcoran’s experience in dealing with financial regulators. Additionally, Mr. Corcoran is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society.

Robert M. Sampson

In addition to being one of the founders of Cresco, Robert Sampson has more than 20 years of operating experience in large business, including 12 years in the heavily regulated mortgage industry, having served as Chief Operating Officer at Guaranteed Rate, a retail mortgage bank. As the former Chief Operating Officer of Cresco, Mr. Sampson oversaw the construction of two 40,000 square foot cement precast structures and one 30,000 square foot hybrid greenhouse structure and was responsible for all facility operations and systems, including the design and implementation of fertigation and irrigation systems, inventory control systems, compliance process procedures, audits, security, and IT. Mr. Sampson is currently Executive Vice President of Crosscountry Mortgage, a mortgage firm based in Cleveland. Mr. Sampson holds a B.S. degree from Aurora University and an A.A. degree from College of DuPage.

Randy D. Podolsky

Randy D. Podolsky has served entrepreneurial, corporate, institutional and not-for-profit commercial real estate clients for over 40 years and served as Managing Principal of his firm from 1986 to 2015. Now operating under the name of Riverwoods Development Partners, Mr. Podolsky provides personalized transaction and contract negotiation and advisory services to financial institutions, users, owners and not-for-profits for all facets of commercial real estate. Mr. Podolsky’s most recent project is developing Navy Pier Marina, a 100% transient marina at Navy Pier. Mr. Podolsky recently served as a board member and chair of the real estate committee of the Waukegan Port District, which owns and operates Waukegan Harbor & Marina, the Port of Waukegan and Waukegan National Airport. During his tenure, Mr. Podolsky orchestrated the District’s bond refinancing, increased the value of its real estate and derived income, spearheaded adoption of the Harbor Master Plan, and, most notably, negotiated the agreements for the District’s first marina use development by a private party in over four decades. Additionally, he is a volunteer member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary since 1991 and served as the elected District Commodore (DCO) of the Ninth Western Region in 2009-2010. Mr. Podolsky holds a B.A. degree from Loyola University.

 

18


Audit Committee Oversight

During the year ended December 31, 2022, no recommendations of the Audit Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor were not adopted by the Board.

Reliance on Certain Exemptions

As an issuer listed on the CSE, the Corporation currently relies on the exemption set forth in Section 6.1 of NI 52-110 pertaining to reporting obligations under NI 52-110.

External Auditor Service Fees (By Category)

The aggregate fees billed by the Corporation’s external auditors in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are set out below:

 

Financial Year

Ending

   Audit Fees(1)      Audit-Related Fees(2)      Tax Fees      All Other Fees  

December 31, 2022

   US$ 2,839,099      US$ 46,180        —          —    

December 31, 2021

   US$ 2,383,495      US$ 57,799        —          —    

Notes:

 

(1)

Audit Fees include fees for performance of the annual audit of the Corporation’s financial statements, reviews of quarterly financial statements, review of Annual Information Form, reviews of periodic reports and reviews of other documents required by legislation or regulation.

(2)

Audit-Related Fees include fees related to comfort letters, consents and reviews of securities filings.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee consists of Charles Bachtell, Gerald F. Corcoran, Thomas J. Manning and Carol Vallone, with Mr. Manning serving as chairman. The Executive Committee has been authorized to manage, or supervise the management, of the business and affairs of the Corporation other than matters that may not be delegated under Section 19.1 of the Corporation’s articles and applicable corporate law.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2022, information with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Corporation are authorized for issuance.

 

Plan Category

   Number of Subordinate
Voting Shares to be issued
upon exercise of
outstanding Options,
warrants and rights
     Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
Options, warrants and
rights
     Number of Subordinate
Voting Shares remaining
available for future
issuance under equity
compensation plans
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

     29,786,169      US$ 5.10        10,947,522  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

     —          —          —    

Total

     29,786,169      US$ 5.10        10,947,522  

 

19


Notes:

 

(1)

The above disclosure is based on Subordinate Voting Shares issuable under the Incentive Plan equal to 10% of the number of issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares on an “as converted” basis as at December 31, 2022, being 407,336,912 Subordinate Voting Shares, less 29,786,169 Subordinate Voting Shares issuable upon the exercise of Awards under the Incentive Plan as at December 31, 2022.

INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

No current or former director, executive officer or employee of the Corporation, or any of the Cresco Nominees, or any of their respective associates or affiliates, is or has been at any time since the beginning of the last completed fiscal year, indebted to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries nor has any such person been indebted to any other entity where such indebtedness is the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or similar arrangement or understanding, provided by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

INTERESTS OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS

Other than as set forth herein, the Corporation is not aware of any material interest, direct or indirect, of any “informed person” of the Corporation, any proposed director of the Corporation or any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing in any transaction since the commencement of the Corporation’s most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.

For the purposes of the above, “informed person” means: (a) a director or executive officer of the Corporation; (b) a director or executive officer of a company that is itself an informed person or subsidiary of the Corporation; (c) any person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Corporation or who exercises control or direction over voting securities of the Corporation or a combination of both carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting securities of the Corporation other than voting securities held by the person or company as underwriter in the course of a distribution; and (d) the Corporation after having purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its securities, for so long as it holds any of its securities.

There are potential conflicts of interest to which all of the directors and officers of the Corporation may be subject in connection with the operations of the Corporation. All of the directors and officers are engaged in and will continue to be engaged in corporations or businesses, including publicly traded corporations, which may be in competition with the search by the Corporation for businesses or assets. Accordingly, situations may arise where all of the directors and officers will be in direct competition with the Corporation. Conflicts, if any, will be subject to the procedures and remedies as provided under the BCBCA.

MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

The Corporation has no management contracts or other arrangement in place where management functions are performed by a person or company other than the directors or executive officers of the Corporation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information relating to the Corporation is available under the Corporation’s profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, including financial information which is provided in Cresco’s annual comparative Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and related management’s discussion and analysis. Copies of the Financial Statements and related management’s discussion and analysis are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Shareholders may contact the Corporation at its registered office address at Suite 2500 Park Place, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2X8 to request copies of the Financial Statements and related management’s discussion and analysis.

 

20


SCHEDULE “A”

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

CRESCO LABS INC.

CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

This charter (the “Charter”) sets forth the purpose, composition, responsibilities, duties, powers and authority of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the directors (the “Board”) of Cresco Labs Inc. (“Cresco”).

 

1.0

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to:

 

  (a)

financial reporting and disclosure requirements;

 

  (b)

ensuring that an effective risk management and financial control framework has been implemented by the management of Cresco; and

 

  (c)

external and internal audit processes.

 

2.0

COMPOSITION AND MEMBERSHIP

 

  (a)

The members (collectively “Members” and individually a “Member”) of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board to serve one-year terms. The Board may remove a Member at any time and may fill any vacancy occurring on the Committee. A Member may resign at any time and a Member will cease to be a Member upon ceasing to be a director of Cresco.

 

  (b)

The Committee will consist of at least three Members. Every Member must be a director of Cresco who is independent and financially literate to the extent required by (and subject to the exemptions and other provisions set out in) applicable laws, rules, regulations and stock exchange requirements (collectively “Applicable Laws”), it being understood that for such time as Cresco remains a “venture issuer” under Applicable Laws, a majority (rather than all) of the Members of the Committee is required to be “independent”. In this Charter, the terms “independent” and “financially literate” have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Applicable Laws and include the meanings given to similar terms in Applicable Laws to the extent such similar terms are used in this Charter and are applicable under Applicable Laws.

 

  (c)

The chairman of the Committee (the “Chair”) will be appointed by the Board and confirmed by the Committee or appointed by the Committee from time to time and must have such accounting or related financial management expertise as the Board or Committee may determine in their business judgment is necessary. The Corporate Secretary of Cresco (the “Secretary”) will be the secretary of all meetings and will maintain minutes of all meetings, deliberations and proceedings of the Committee. In the absence of the Secretary at any meeting, the Committee will appoint another person who may, but need not, be a Member to be the secretary of that meeting.

 

3.0

MEETINGS

 

  (a)

Meetings of the Committee will be held at such times and places as the Chair may determine, but in any event not less than four (4) times per year. Any Member or the auditor of Cresco may call a meeting of the Committee at any time upon not less than forty-eight (48) hours advance notice being given to each Member orally, by telephone, by facsimile or by email, unless all Members are present and waive notice, or if those absent waive notice before or after a meeting. Members may attend all meetings either in person or by conference call.

 

A-1


  (b)

At the request of the external auditors of Cresco, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of Cresco or any Member will convene a meeting of the Committee. Any such request will set out in reasonable detail the business proposed to be conducted at the meeting so requested.

 

  (c)

The Chair, if present, will act as the Chair of meetings of the Committee. If the Chair is not present at a meeting of the Committee, then the Members present may select one of their number to act as chairman of the meeting.

 

  (d)

A majority of Members will constitute a quorum for a meeting of the Committee. Each Member will have one vote and decisions of the Committee will be made by an affirmative vote of the majority of Members present at the meeting at which the vote is taken. The Chair may cast a deciding vote in the case of a deadlock of votes. Actions of the Committee may also be taken by written resolution signed by all Members.

 

  (e)

The Committee may invite from time to time such persons as the Committee considers appropriate to attend its meetings and to take part in the discussion and consideration of the affairs of the Committee, except to the extent the exclusion of certain persons is required pursuant to this Charter or by Applicable Laws. At each meeting, the Committee will meet in executive session (i) with only Members present, (ii) with only Members and Cresco’s external auditors present, and (iii) with only Members and management present.

 

  (f)

In advance of every regular meeting of the Committee, the Chair, with the assistance of the Secretary, will prepare and distribute to the Members and others as deemed appropriate by the Chair, an agenda of matters to be addressed at the meeting together with appropriate briefing materials. The Committee may require officers and employees of Cresco to produce such information and reports as the Committee may deem appropriate in order to fulfill its duties.

 

4.0

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of the Committee as they relate to the following matters, to the extent considered appropriate or desirable or required by Applicable Laws, are to:

 

4.1

Financial Reporting and Disclosure

 

  (a)

oversee, review and discuss, as the Committee deems appropriate, with management and the external auditors, Cresco’s accounting practices and policies;

 

  (b)

review the audited annual financial statements of Cresco, including the auditors’ report thereon, the management’s discussion and analysis of Cresco prepared in connection with the annual financial statements, financial reports of Cresco, guidance with respect to earnings per share, and any initial public release of financial information of Cresco through press release or otherwise, and report on the results of such review to the Board prior to approval and release to Cresco’s shareholders;

 

  (c)

review the quarterly financial statements of Cresco including the management’s discussion and analysis prepared in connection with the quarterly financial statements, and report on the results of such review to the Board prior to approval and release to Cresco’s shareholders;

 

  (d)

review and recommend to the Board for approval, where appropriate, financial information contained in any prospectuses, annual information forms, annual reports to shareholders, management proxy circulars, material change disclosures of a financial nature and similar disclosure documents;

 

A-2


  (e)

review with management of Cresco and with the external auditors of Cresco significant accounting principles and disclosure requirements and alternative treatments under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) all with a view to gaining reasonable assurance that financial statements are accurate, complete and present fairly Cresco’s financial position and the results of its operations in accordance with GAAP;

 

  (f)

annually review Cresco’s Corporate Disclosure Policy and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for consideration; and

 

  (g)

review the minutes from each meeting of the disclosure committee of Cresco established pursuant to Cresco’s Corporate Disclosure Policy, since the last meeting of the Committee.

 

4.2

Internal Controls and Audit

 

  (a)

review and assess the adequacy and effectiveness of Cresco’s system of internal control and management information systems through discussions with management and the external auditor of Cresco to ensure that Cresco maintains: (i) the necessary books, records and accounts in sufficient detail to accurately and fairly reflect Cresco’s transactions; (ii) effective internal control systems; and (iii) adequate processes for assessing the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements of Cresco and for detecting significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in controls or fraud. From time to time the Committee will assess whether a formal internal audit department is necessary or desirable having regard to the size and stage of development of Cresco at any particular time;

 

  (b)

satisfy itself that management has established adequate procedures for the review of Cresco’s disclosure of financial information extracted or derived directly from Cresco’s financial statements;

 

  (c)

review and assess the adequacy of Cresco’s systems and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and recommendations and the security of Cresco’s data and information systems;

 

  (d)

review and assess the major financial risk exposures of Cresco and the steps taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the use of any financial derivatives and hedging activities; and

 

  (e)

review and assess, and in the Committee’s discretion make recommendations to the Board regarding, the adequacy of Cresco’s risk management policies and procedures with regard to identification of Cresco’s principal risks and implementation of appropriate systems to manage such risks including an assessment of the adequacy of insurance coverage maintained by Cresco.

 

4.3

External Audit

 

  (a)

recommend to the Board a firm of external auditors to be engaged by Cresco;

 

  (b)

ensure the external auditors report directly to the Committee on a regular basis;

 

  (c)

review the independence of the external auditors, including a written report from the external auditors respecting their independence and consideration of applicable auditor independence standards;

 

  (d)

review and approve the compensation of the external auditors, and the scope and timing of the audit and other related services rendered by the external auditors;

 

  (e)

review the audit plan of the external auditors prior to the commencement of the audit;

 

  (f)

establish and maintain a direct line of communication with Cresco’s external and, if applicable, internal auditors;

 

A-3


  (g)

review the performance of the external auditors who are accountable to the Committee and the Board as representatives of the shareholders, including the lead partner of the independent auditors team;

 

  (h)

oversee the work of the external auditors appointed by the shareholders of Cresco with respect to preparing and issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for Cresco, including the resolution of issues between management of Cresco and the external auditors regarding financial disclosure;

 

  (i)

review the results of the external audit and the report thereon including, without limitation, a discussion with the external auditors as to the quality of accounting principles used and any alternative treatments of financial information that have been discussed with management of Cresco and the ramifications of their use, as well as any other material changes. Review a report describing all material written communication between management and the auditors such as management letters and schedule of unadjusted differences;

 

  (j)

discuss with the external auditors their perception of Cresco’s financial and accounting personnel, records and systems, the cooperation which the external auditors received during their course of their review and availability of records, data and other requested information and any recommendations with respect thereto;

 

  (k)

review the reasons for any proposed change in the external auditors which is not initiated by the Committee or Board and any other significant issues related to the change, including the response of the incumbent auditors, and enquire as to the qualifications of the proposed auditors before making its recommendations to the Board; and

 

  (l)

review annually a report from the external auditors in respect of their internal quality-control procedures, any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review of the external auditors, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the external auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues.

 

4.4

Associated Responsibilities

 

  (a)

monitor and periodically review Cresco’s Whistleblower Policy and associated procedures for:

 

  (i)

the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by Cresco regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters;

 

  (ii)

the confidential, anonymous submission by directors, officers and employees of Cresco of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and

 

  (iii)

any violations of any Applicable Laws that relate to corporate reporting and disclosure, or violations of Cresco’s Code of Conduct and Ethics;

 

  (b)

review and approve the hiring policies of Cresco regarding employees and partners, and former employees and partners, of the present and former external auditors of Cresco; and

 

  (c)

provide oversight of related party transactions entered into or proposed to be entered into by Cresco.

 

4.5

Non-Audit Services

Pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided to Cresco or any subsidiary entities by its external auditors or by the external auditors of such subsidiary entities. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members the authority to pre-approve non-audit services but pre-approval by such Member or Members so delegated shall be presented to the Committee at its first scheduled meeting following such pre-approval.

 

A-4


4.6

Oversight Function

While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Committee to determine that Cresco’s financial statements are complete and accurate or are in accordance with GAAP and applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibilities of the management of Cresco. The external auditors are responsible for planning and carrying out an audit of the annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards to provide reasonable assurance that such financial statements are in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards. The Committee, the Chair and any Members identified as having accounting or related financial expertise are directors of Cresco, appointed to the Committee to provide broad oversight of the financial, risk and control related activities of Cresco, and are specifically not accountable or responsible for the day to day operation or performance of such activities. Although the designation of a Member as having accounting or related financial expertise for disclosure purposes is based on that individual’s education and experience, which that individual will bring to bear in carrying out his or her duties on the Committee, such designation does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Committee and Board in the absence of such designation. Rather, the role of a Member who is identified as having accounting or related financial expertise, like the role of all Members, is to oversee the process, not to certify or guarantee the internal or external audit of Cresco’s financial information or public disclosure.

 

5.0

REPORTING

The Committee shall provide the Board with a summary of all actions taken at each Committee meeting or by written resolution. The Committee will annually review and approve the Committee’s report for inclusion in the management proxy circular. The Secretary will circulate the minutes of each meeting of the Committee and each written resolution passed by the Committee to the Board. The Committee shall produce and provide the Board with all reports or other information required to be prepared under Applicable Laws.

 

6.0

ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND AUTHORITY

The Committee will be granted unrestricted access to all information regarding Cresco and all directors, officers and employees will be directed to cooperate as requested by Members. The Committee has the authority to retain, at Cresco’s expense, outside legal, financial and other advisors, consultants and experts, to assist the Committee in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities. The Committee also has the authority to communicate directly with external and, if applicable, internal auditors of Cresco.

 

7.0

REVIEW OF CHARTER

The Committee will annually review and assess the adequacy of this Charter and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for consideration.

 

8.0

CHAIR

The Chair of the Committee shall:

 

  (a)

provide leadership to the Committee with respect to its functions as described in this mandate and as otherwise may be appropriate, including overseeing the operation of the Committee;

 

  (b)

chair meetings of the Committee, unless not present, including in camera sessions, and report to the Board following each meeting of the Committee on the activities and any recommendations of the Committee;

 

  (c)

ensure that the Committee meets at least once per quarter and otherwise as considered appropriate;

 

A-5


  (d)

in consultation with the Chair of the Board and the Committee members, establish dates for holding meetings of the Committee;

 

  (e)

set the agenda for each meeting of the Committee, with input from other Committee members, the Chair of the Board, and any other appropriate persons;

 

  (f)

ensure that Committee materials are available to any director upon request as the Chair or the Committee consider appropriate;

 

  (g)

act as liaison and maintain communication with the Chair of the Board and the Board to optimize and co-ordinate input from directors, and to optimize the effectiveness of the Committee. This includes reporting to the Board on all decisions of the Committee at the first meeting of the Board after each Committee meeting and at such other times and in such manner as the Committee considers advisable; and

 

  (h)

report annually to the Board on the role of the Committee and the effectiveness of the Committee in contributing to the effectiveness of the Board.

 

A-6


SCHEDULE “B”

VIRTUAL MEETING GUIDE

In Order to Participate Online

This year we will be conducting a virtual annual meeting of shareholders, giving you the opportunity to attend the Meeting online using your smartphone, tablet or computer. You will be able to view a live webcast of the Meeting, ask the Board questions and submit your votes in real time.

Before the meeting:

 

  1.

Check that your browser for whichever device you are using is compatible. You will need the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. Please do not use Internet Explorer.

 

  2.

All securityholders MUST register any third party appointments by email at appointee@odysseytrust.com. Failure to do so will result in the appointee not receiving login credentials. See important information on the next page regarding third party appointments.

Gather the information you need to access the online meeting:

Website: https://web.lumiAM.com

Meeting ID: 214059994

Password: cresco2023

You will be able to log into the site from 9:00 a.m. CDT, June 30, 2023. The AM will start at 10:00 a.m. CDT.

 

   

Registered Shareholders can log-in using their 12-digit control number or log-in as a guest, see details below:

 

   

The 12 digit control number located on the reverse of your form of proxy. If as a registered Shareholder you are using your control number to login to the Meeting and you accept the terms and conditions, you will be provided the opportunity to vote by online ballot on the applicable matters put forth at the Meeting. If you vote by online ballot at the Meeting, you will be revoking any and all previously submitted votes or proxies for the Meeting. Therefore, you should consider joining the Meeting as a guest and voting your Voting Shares, as applicable, in advance so that your vote will be counted in the event you experience any technical difficulties during the Meeting.

 

   

Guest: If you do not have a 12 digit control number or you are a registered Shareholder and you have voted in advance of the Meeting and you do not wish to revoke your previously submitted votes.

 

   

If you register as a guest, you will not be able to participate in the Meeting and ask questions.

 

   

Non Registered Holders / Proxyholders: If you have appointed yourself or a third party as your proxy appointee to attend the meeting, you will need to email Odyssey Trust Company at appointee@odysseytrust.com to register the appointment in order for them to receive a username.

Difficulties Accessing the Meeting

If you have trouble connecting to the Meeting please contact Odyssey Trust Company at 1.888.290.1175

If you are accessing the Meeting you must remain connected to the internet at all times during the Meeting in order to vote when voting commences. It is your responsibility to ensure internet connectivity for the duration of the Meeting. Note that if you lose connectivity once the Meeting has commenced, there may be insufficient time to resolve your issue before voting is completed.

 

B-1


Important Notice for Non-Registered Shareholders

Non-registered shareholders (being shareholders who hold their shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, custodian, nominee or other intermediary) who have not duly appointed themselves as proxy will not be able to attend or participate at the Meeting.

Shareholders who wish to appoint a third party proxyholder to represent them at the Meeting (including Beneficial Shareholders who wish to appoint themselves as proxyholder to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting) MUST submit their duly completed proxy or Voting Instruction Form AND register the proxyholder.

Registering a Proxyholder to Attend the Meeting

The following applies to Shareholders who wish to appoint a person (a “Third Party Proxyholder”) other than the management nominees set forth in the form of proxy or Voting Instruction Form as proxyholder, including beneficial Shareholders who wish to appoint themselves as proxyholder to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting.

Shareholders who wish to appoint themselves or a Third Party Proxyholder to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting as their proxy and vote their Voting Shares MUST submit their proxy or Voting Instruction Form (as applicable) appointing themselves or such Third Party Proxyholder AND register themselves or the Third Party Proxyholder, as described below. Registering yourself or your proxyholder is an additional step to be completed AFTER you have submitted your proxy or Voting Instruction Form. Failure to register the proxyholder will result in the proxyholder not receiving a username to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting.

Step 1: Submit your proxy or Voting Instruction Form: To appoint yourself or a Third Party Proxyholder, insert such person’s name in the blank space provided in the form of proxy or Voting Instruction Form (if permitted) and follow the instructions for submitting such form of proxy or Voting Instruction Form. This must be completed prior to registering yourself or such proxyholder, which is an additional step to be completed once you have submitted your form of proxy or Voting Instruction Form. If you are a Beneficial Shareholder located in the U.S., you must also provide Odyssey with a duly completed legal proxy if you wish to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting or, if permitted, appoint a third party as your proxyholder.

Step 2: Register yourself or your proxyholder: To register a proxyholder, Shareholders must send an email to appointee@odysseytrust.com by 10:00 a.m. CDT on June 28, 2023, and provide Odyssey with their proxyholder’s contact information, amount of Voting Shares appointed, name in which the Voting Shares are registered if they are a registered Shareholder, or name of brokerage house where the Voting Shares are held if a Beneficial Shareholder, so that Odyssey may provide the proxyholder with a username via email. Without a username, proxyholders will not be able to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting.

Legal Proxy - U.S. Beneficial Shareholders

If you are a Beneficial Shareholder located in the United States and wish to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting or, if permitted, appoint a third party as your proxyholder, in addition to the steps described above, you must obtain a valid legal proxy from your intermediary. Follow the instructions from your intermediary included with the legal proxy form and the voting information form sent to you, or contact your intermediary to request a legal proxy form or a legal proxy if you have not received one. After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your intermediary, you must then submit such legal proxy to Odyssey. Requests for registration from Beneficial Shareholders located in the United States that wish to attend, participate or vote at the Meeting or, if permitted, appoint a third party as their proxyholder must be sent by email to appointee@odysseytrust.com and received by 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time June 28, 2023.

 

B-2


Navigation

When successfully authenticated (did not sign in as a guest), the info screen LOGO will be displayed. You can view company information, ask questions and watch the webcast.

If you would like to watch the webcast press the broadcast icon. LOGO

If viewing on a computer, the webcast will appear at the side automatically once the meeting has started.

 

LOGO

Questions

Any voting member attending the meeting is eligible to ask questions.

If you would like to ask a question, select the messaging icon. LOGO

Messages can be submitted at any time during the Q&A session up until the Chair closes the session.

 

LOGO

 

B-3


Voting

Once the voting has opened, the resolutions and voting choices will be displayed.

To vote, simply select your voting direction from the options shown on screen. A confirmation message will appear to show your vote has been received.

 

LOGO

To change your vote, simply select another direction. If you wish to cancel your vote, please press Cancel.

 

LOGO          LOGO

Type your message within the chat box at the bottom of the messaging screen.

Once you are happy with your message click the send button.

Questions sent via the Lumi AM online platform will be moderated before being sent to the Chair.

 

LOGO          LOGO

 

B-4