EX-2 4 algomacircular.htm ALGOMA STEEL INC. - MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR Algoma Steel Inc. - Management Information Circular - Prepared By TNT Filings

 



MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR



Solicitation of Proxies


This Management Information Circular accompanies the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of the holders of Common Shares of Algoma Steel Inc. (the "Corporation" or "Algoma") to be held on May 22, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, 208 St. Mary’s River Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the management of the Corporation of proxies for use at the Meeting.  The solicitation will be primarily by mail, but proxies may also be solicited by regular employees of the Corporation.  The cost of such solicitation will be borne by the Corporation.


Appointment of Proxyholders


The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy are an officer and/or a director of the Corporation.  A shareholder has the right to appoint a person, who need not be a shareholder of the Corporation, other than the persons designated in the enclosed form of proxy, to attend and act on behalf of the shareholder at the Meeting.  To exercise this right, a shareholder may either insert such other person's name in the blank space provided in the enclosed form of proxy or complete another appropriate form of proxy.


To be valid, a proxy must be signed by the shareholder or the shareholder's attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a corporation, by a duly authorized officer or attorney.  The proxy, to be acted upon, must be deposited with the Corporation, c/o its agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1, by 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the last business day prior to the date on which the Meeting or any adjournment thereof is held.


Non-Registered Holders


Only registered holders of common shares of the Corporation, or the persons they appoint as their proxies, are permitted to attend and vote at the meeting.  However, in many cases, common shares of the Corporation beneficially owned by a holder (a “Non-Registered Holder”) are registered either:


(a)

in the name of an intermediary that the Non-Registered Holder deals with in respect of the shares. Intermediaries include banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers, and trustees or administrators of self-administered RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs and similar plans; or

(b)

in the name of a depository (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited or “CDS”).


In accordance with Canadian securities law, the Corporation has distributed copies of the notice of meeting, this management information circular and the form of proxy (collectively, the “meeting materials”) to CDS and intermediaries for onward distribution to Non-Registered Holders.


Intermediaries are required to forward meeting materials to Non-Registered Holders unless a Non-Registered Holder has waived the right to receive them.  Typically, intermediaries will use a service company to forward the meeting materials to Non-Registered Holders.  


Non-Registered Holders who have declined to receive meeting materials will receive either a voting instruction form or, less frequently, a form of proxy.  The purpose of these forms is to permit Non-Registered Holders to direct the voting of the shares they beneficially own.  Non-Registered Holders should follow the procedures set out below, depending on which type of form they receive.


A.

Voting Instruction Form.  In most cases, a Non-Registered Holder will receive, as part of the meeting materials, a voting instruction form.  If the Non-Registered Holder does not wish to attend and vote at the meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on the Holder’s behalf), the voting instruction form must be completed, signed and returned in accordance with the directions on the form.  If a Non-Registered Holder wishes to attend and vote at the meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on the Holder’s behalf), the Non-Registered Holder must complete, sign and return the voting instruction form in accordance with the directions provided and a form of proxy giving the right to attend and vote will be forwarded to the Non-Registered Holder.


or


B.

Form of Proxy.  Less frequently, a Non-Registered Holder will receive, as part of the meeting materials, a form of proxy that has already been signed by the intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature) which is restricted as to the number of shares beneficially owned by the Non-Registered Holder but which is otherwise uncompleted.  If the Non-Registered Holder does not wish to attend and vote at the meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on the Holder’s behalf), the Non-Registered Holder must complete the form of proxy and deposit it with the Corporation, c/o its agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, as described above.  If a Non-Registered Holder wishes to attend and vote at the meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on the Holder’s behalf), the Non-Registered Holder must strike out the names of the persons named in the proxy and insert the Non-Registered Holder’s (or such other person’s) name in the blank space provided.


Non-Registered Holders should follow the instructions on the forms they receive and contact their intermediaries promptly if they need assistance.



Voting by Proxy


Shares represented by properly executed proxies in the enclosed form will be voted for or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder on the proxy on any ballot that may be called for. In the absence of any instructions on the proxy, such shares will be voted:


(a)

for the election as directors of the Corporation of the persons listed as nominees for directors;


(b)

for the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors of the Corporation and authorizing the directors to fix their remuneration;


(c)

for the resolution authorizing the creation of the Restricted Share Unit Plan;


(d)

for the resolution authorizing the creation of the Share Option Plan.


The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein with respect to amendments or variations to the matters identified in the Notice of Meeting and with respect to any other matter which may properly come before the Meeting.


Revocation of Proxy


A shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it by an instrument in writing, including another proxy, executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder's attorney authorized in writing and deposited at the registered office of the Corporation, 105 West Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 7B4, prior to the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, or with the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting at any time before it is exercised in any particular matter or in any other manner permitted by law, including attending the Meeting in person.


Voting Shares and Principal Holders



23,866,314 Common Shares of the Corporation are outstanding.  Each holder of a Common Share is entitled to one vote for each share registered in the shareholder's name on the list of shareholders prepared as of April 11, 2003 with respect to all matters to be voted on at the Meeting.  However, in the event of any transfer of shares by any such shareholder after such date, the transferee is entitled to vote those shares if the transferee produces properly endorsed share certificates, or otherwise establishes that it owns the shares, and requests the Secretary of the Corporation to include the transferee's name in the shareholders' list not later than 10 days before the Meeting.


To the knowledge of the directors and officers of the Corporation, the only person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, securities of the Corporation carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to any class of outstanding voting securities is MacKay Shields LLC who owns, directly or indirectly, 4,331,454 Common Shares, representing approximately 18% of the outstanding and to be issued Common Shares of the Corporation.  



Election of Directors


The Board of Directors of the Corporation is comprised of ten directors.  Directors are elected to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.


The nominees for election as directors are Messrs. Steven Bowsher, Benjamin Duster, John Kallio, Patrick Lavelle, James Lawson, Charles Masson, Murray Nott, Doug Olthuis, Francis Petro, Denis Turcotte.  


Under its collective agreements with the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), three of the Corporation’s directors are to be nominated by the USWA.  Messrs. Kallio, Nott and Olthuis are the USWA nominees.


If any of the nominees is not available to act as a director, a substitute may be nominated.  The following information concerning the respective nominees has been provided by them.





Name and
Municipality
of Residence
 

Principal Occupation

 

Director
Since

Common
Shares
Owned or
Controlled

Nominees

     

Steven Bowsher

Prospect Heights, Illinois

Consultant, 2002–present; President and CEO, Indesco International, 2001-2002; Executive Vice President Commercial, Ispat Inland Steel Company, 1998-2000.

   

Benjamin Duster (5)

Atlanta, Georgia

Chairman of the Board of the Corporation; Head of Financial Restructuring, Masson and Company, LLC, 2001-present; Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, Wachovia Securities, 1997-2001.

January 29, 2002

10,246

John Kallio (2)

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Union Department Steering Committee Co-Chair – Plate & Strip, 2002-present; Loader – Plate & Strip Finishing, 1999-2002; and Union Co-Chair – Tubular Business Unit, 1994-1999 – all positions at the Corporation.

October 29, 1996

5,820

Patrick Lavelle (1) (2) (4)

Toronto, Ontario

Corporate Director; and Chairman and CEO, Patrick J. Lavelle and Associates, a strategic management consulting firm.

January 29, 2002

5,055

James Lawson (3) (4)

Oakville, Ontario

Partner, Torys LLP, 2001-present; Senior Vice President – Corporate Development and General Counsel, XO Communications Canada Inc., 2000-2001; and Partner, Davies Ward & Beck, 1989-2000.

January 29, 2002

4,555

Charles Masson(1) (3) (4) (5)

New York, New York

Partner, Masson and Company, LLC, 1998–present; President, McCloud Partners, 1993-1998.

February 28, 2002

4,555

Murray Nott (1) (4) (5)

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Metallurgical Specialist - Quality Engineering, Algoma Steel Inc.

June 1,         1992

5,820

Doug Olthuis (1) (2) (3)

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

United Steelworkers of America – Area Co-ordinator for Northwestern Ontario, 1998-present.

January 29, 2002

*

Francis Petro

Kokomo, Indiana

President and CEO of Haynes International Inc., 1999-present; President, Inco Alloys International, 1994-1999.

   

Denis Turcotte

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

President and CEO of the Corporation, Sept., 2002-present;

President – Paper Group/Executive Vice President Corporate Development and Strategy, Tembec Inc., 1999-2002;

President and CEO, Spruce Falls, 1997-1999.

October 4, 2002

70,610


Notes:

(1)

Member of the Audit Committee

(2)

Member of the Health, Safety and Environment Committee

(1)

Member of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee

(2)

Member of the Corporate Governance Committee

(5)

Member of the Strategic Planning Committee

Algoma does not have an Executive Committee.


*

4,555 shares awarded under the Outside Directors Share Award Plan in respect of D. Olthuis’ service as a director are controlled by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) pursuant to the employment arrangement between Mr. Olthuis and the USWA, and subject to the hold periods, are directed to a USWA Local 2251 Scholarship Fund.



Appointment of Auditors


As indicated above, the persons named in the form of proxy enclosed with the Notice of Meeting intend to vote for the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, Chartered Accountants, Toronto as auditors of the Corporation and authorize the directors to fix their remuneration.



Compensation of Directors


The compensation paid to each director of the Corporation is $15,000 per annum plus $1,000 for each meeting of the board attended.  Directors who are on committees of the board are paid $3,000 per annum as chairman, $1,000 per annum as a member and $1,000 for each meeting of a committee attended.


In lieu of the compensation paid to directors noted above, Mr. Duster, as Chairman of the Board, is paid an annual fee of $90,000.


In addition, Outside Directors, including the Chairman of the Board, participate in the Outside Directors Share Award Plan (the “Share Award Plan”) under which each Outside Director is eligible to receive a monthly grant of Common Shares with a market value of up to $10,000 per month.  Effective February 1, 2002, the size of the grants were established at $4,500 per month for the Chairman and $2,000 per month for all other Outside Directors.  The size of the grants may be adjusted from time to time by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee within the limits imposed by the Share Award Plan.  The terms of the Share Award Plan provide that 50% of each issuance of Common Shares must be held for a minimum of four months and the remaining 50% for a minimum of twelve months.  Outside Directors are directors who are not full time officers of the Corporation.


The Board of Directors may reserve Common Shares for issuance under the Share Award Plan provided that the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued, pursuant to the terms of the Share Award Plan, shall not exceed 500,000 Common Shares .  The Share Award Plan is administered by the Board of Directors with the assistance of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee.  Amendments to the Share Award Plan may be made by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval, subject to regulatory requirements and provided that the limit on the maximum number of Common Shares described above cannot be exceeded.



Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance


The Corporation provides directors’ and officers’ liability coverage with a policy limit of $75,000,000 per occurrence with a $75,000,000 annual aggregate.  The policy provides coverage for all past, present and future directors and officers of the Corporation.  There is no deductible applicable for individual directors and officers named as defendants in any one action.  Corporate reimbursement coverage is subject to a $250,000 deductible for each claim.  Under this coverage, the Corporation is reimbursed for payments made under corporate indemnity provisions on behalf of its directors and officers subject to the applicable deductible.  Individual directors and officers are reimbursed for losses during the performance of their duties for which they are not indemnified by the Corporation.  Protection is provided for the directors and officers for wrongful acts that include acts, errors or omissions done or committed during the course of the performance of their duties.  The policy excludes coverage for illegal acts, acts of dishonesty and those acts which result in personal gain.  In the latest financial year ended December 31, 2002, the total premium of $365,000 for directors’ and officers’ liability coverage was paid by the Corporation.  The premiums for the policies are not allocated between directors and officers as separate groups.



Approval of Restricted Share Unit Plan

 

The Corporation is seeking shareholders’ approval to create a Restricted Share Unit Plan (the “RSU Plan”).  The Board of Directors has authorized, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, the creation of the RSU Plan which would permit the Corporation, at its option, to award restricted share units to senior management and directors of the Corporation.  The Human Resources and Compensation Committee will administer the RSU Plan in compliance with applicable laws and the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are listed and subject to approval of the Board of Directors for certain matters.  The RSU Plan operates in conjunction with the Corporation’s short-term incentive plan.


The short-term incentive plan provides an opportunity for participants to earn an annual cash award based on the achievement of individual and corporate objectives in a year.  Performance is measured by comparing actual results against targets established at the beginning of the year.  In each year a minimum of 25% of each participant’s short-term incentive award must be received in the form of restricted share units and participants may elect to receive restricted share units for up to 50% of any short-term incentive award.  The number of restricted share units to be granted is determined by dividing the amount of the incentive award to be received as restricted share units by the fair market value of the Corporation’s Common Shares at the time of the grant (equal to the average closing price of Common Shares for the five trading days preceding the date of the grant).  Three years from the end of the year in respect of which the restricted share units were granted, each participant would be issued from Treasury one Common Share for each restricted share unit.


Management believes that the implementation of the RSU Plan will further align the interests of senior management with those of the shareholders.  In addition, it will assist the Corporation to conserve its cash resources by having a portion of senior management compensation provided through the issuance of Common Shares.  The form of resolution that would authorize the creation of the RSU Plan is set out in Schedule A to this Circular.


1,000,000 Common Shares are to be reserved for issuance under the RSU Plan.  The RSU Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors with the assistance of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee.  Amendments to the RSU Plan may be made by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval, subject to regulatory requirements and provided that the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance cannot be increased except with shareholder approval.


Pursuant to the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the RSU Plan must be approved by a majority of the votes cast at a shareholders’ meeting.  On approval of the RSU Plan, the Corporation will award a total of 27,300 restricted share units to senior management in respect of 2002.



Approval of Share Option Plan


The Corporation is seeking shareholders’ approval to create a Share Option Plan (the “Option Plan”).  The Board of Directors has authorized, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, the creation of the Option Plan which would permit the Corporation, at its option, to award options to senior management and directors of the Corporation.


The Human Resources and Compensation Committee will administer the Option Plan in compliance with applicable laws and the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are listed and subject to approval of the Board of Directors for certain matters.  All senior management and directors of the Corporation who participate in the RSU Plan are eligible to be granted options under the Option Plan.  The number of options to be issued will be based on the number of restricted share units purchased by the participants in ratios determined by the Board which may vary based on the participant’s position in the Corporation.  The Human Resources and Compensation Committee will determine the exercise price and option term at the time of the grant and any other restrictions on the option.


The exercise price of an option will not be less than the fair market value of a Common Share at the time of the grant (equal to the weighted average closing price of Common Shares for the five trading days preceding the date of the grant) and the options will be for a term not exceeding 10 years.


Options will vest over three years with one-third of the options vesting on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the grant.  Options will become exercisable by a holder on the third anniversary of the date of the grant.  The Human Resources and Compensation Committee can provide different exercise rights at the time of the grant.  Options may also be granted with a share appreciation right which at exercise would, if approved by the Corporation at the time of exercise, allow the participant to receive a cash payment equal to the in the money amount of the option.  


Management believes that the implementation of the Option Plan will further align the interests of senior management with those of the shareholders.  In addition, it will assist the Corporation to conserve its cash resources by having a portion of senior management compensation provided through options.  The form of resolution that would authorize the creation of the Option Plan is set out in Schedule B to this Circular.


2,000,000 Common Shares are to be reserved for issuance under the Option Plan.  The Option Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors with the assistance of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee.  Amendments to the Option Plan may be made by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval, subject to regulatory requirements and provided that the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance cannot be increased except with shareholder approval.


Pursuant to the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the  Option Plan must be approved by a majority of the votes cast at a shareholders’ meeting.  On approval of the Option Plan, the Corporation will award a total of 27,300 options to senior management in respect of 2002.



Executive Compensation


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE


The following table provides a summary of compensation paid since January 1, 2000 for the Chief Executive Officer and the four most highly compensated other policy-making executive officers (the “Named Executive Officers”).


   

Annual Compensation

 

Name and

Principal

Position




Year




Salary

$



Bonus

$

Other

Annual

Compensation

$


Hap Stephen(1)

Chief Restructuring Officer


2002

2001

2000


  65,000(2)

520,000(2)


1,000,000(2)

 


Alexander Adam(2)

President & Chief

Executive Officer


2002

2001

2000


425,000

487,500

500,000





127,846(2) (6)


Denis Turcotte(3)

President & Chief Executive Officer


2002



91,071(2)

 


100,000(2)


Glen Manchester

Vice President –

Commercial


2002

2001

2000


218,477

232,062

226,653


34,863(4)

16,140(4)

14,944(4)


14,846(5) (6)

66,000(5)



Paul Finley

Vice President – Business Development and

Corporate Secretary


2002

2001

2000


205,331

232,062

215,596


33,162(4)

15,352(4)

14,215(4)


14,846(5) (6)

66,000(5)



Steve Boniferro

Vice President -

Human Resources


2002

2001

2000


193,207

221,124

221,124

 


2,846(6)



Armando Plastino

Vice President -

Operations


2002

2001

2000


187,454

178,846

174,846

 


2,846(6)


(1)

Hap Stephen was Chief Restructuring Officer from June 1, 2001 to January 29, 2002.

(2)

See “Employment Contracts” for explanation.

(3)

Denis Turcotte was appointed President and C.E.O. effective September 16, 2002.

(4)

1998 grant of deferred compensation under plan no longer in effect.

(5)

Special Allowance paid to Executives dedicated to the restructuring.

(6)

All employees received 1,265 Common Shares on restructuring.

 

Pension Plan


The Named Executive Officers participate in the Corporation's pension plan for salaried employees (the "Pension Plan").


The Pension Plan is non-contributory and provides annual benefits equal to the sum of 1.35% of a member's best five years' earnings (to an annual maximum of $50,000) and 1.71% of a member's best five years' earnings in excess of $50,000 annually, all multiplied by the member's years of service (to a maximum of 35 years).  Earnings include base salary plus 50% of bonuses as reported in the Summary Compensation Table above.  The amount of pension payable under the Pension Plan is subject to the maximum permitted under the Income Tax Act, Canada.  However, it is the Corporation's practice to pay out of general corporate revenues any amount determined by the above formula that is in excess of the maximum amount payable under the Pension Plan.


The annual pension determined above is payable during the member's lifetime.  A portion of the total pension equal to $576, multiplied by years of service (to a maximum of 35 years) is eligible to be indexed annually prior to July 31, 2004 starting two years after retirement based on excess returns on plan assets.


The retirement age under the Pension Plan is age 65.  However, an unreduced pension is payable after attainment of age 60 with 10 years of service.


For the purposes of computing the retirement benefit of the Named Executive Officers, years of service as at December 31, 2002 were 12 for Mr. Adam, 30 for Mr. Plastino, 22 for Mr. Finley, 25 for Mr. Manchester, 4 for Mr. Boniferro, and 1 for Mr. Turcotte.


The following table illustrates the estimated total annual benefits payable upon retirement in specific pensionable earnings and years of service classifications.


   

Years of Service

  

Pensionable

Earnings


15


20


25


30


35

$100,000

$23,000

$30,600

$38,300

$45,900

$53,600

125,000

  29,400

  39,200

  48,900

  58,700

  68,500

150,000

  35,800

  47,700

  59,600

  71,500

  83,500

175,000

  42,200

  56,300

  70,300

  84,400

  98,400

200,000

  48,600

  64,800

  81,000

  97,200

113,400

300,000

  74,300

  99,000

123,800

148,500

173,300

400,000

  99,900

133,200

166,500

199,800

233,100

500,000

125,600

167,400

209,300

251,100

293,000

600,000

151,200

201,600

252,000

302,400

352,800

700,000

176,900

235,800

294,800

353,700

412,700

800,000

202,500

270,000

337,500

405,000

472,500

900,000

228,200

304,200

380,300

456,300

532,400



Employment Contracts


Hap Stephen served as Chief Restructuring Officer from June 1, 2001 to January 29, 2002 pursuant to an agreement between the Corporation and Mr. Stephen’s firm, Stonecrest Capital Inc.  For the services of Mr. Stephen and Stonecrest Capital Inc., the Corporation paid an initial fee of $65,000, an additional $65,000 per month and a success fee of $1,000,000 paid on March 20, 2002.


The Corporation entered into new employment agreements with Messrs. Boniferro, Finley, Manchester, and Plastino in June, 2002.  These agreements supersede any previous agreements between the executives and the Corporation. The agreements provide that, if the Corporation terminates the employment of the executive without cause, it must pay such executive an amount equal to two years’ salary on his termination.  The agreements with Mr. Finley and Mr. Manchester also provide for supplementary pension benefits to be secured.  


In May of 2002, the Corporation and Mr. Adam entered into an agreement settling the terms governing Mr. Adam’s retirement from the position of President and Chief Executive Officer on August 31, 2002.   Mr. Adam will receive a monthly salary of $35,417 to May 1, 2004.  On September 1, 2002, Mr. Adam received 25,763 Common Shares having a value of $125,000 and subject to a four-month hold period.  During the period to May 1, 2004, Mr. Adam will continue to receive regular employee health and welfare benefits and to accumulate credited pension service.  At May 1, 2004, Mr. Adam will commence receiving pension benefits under the Company’s pension plans calculated on the basis of 12 years of credited service without reduction. Pension amounts payable to Mr. Adam in excess of the maximum permitted to be paid out of the Pension Plan under the Income Tax Act are to be secured.


On September 16, 2002, Mr. Turcotte commenced employment with the Corporation pursuant to an employment agreement.  Mr. Turcotte’s annual salary was established at $467,000 less the restructuring reductions applied to employees’ wages under the Company’s Plan of Arrangement of 9% to December 1, 2002, 7.5% to June 1, 2003 and 6.5% to December 1, 2003.  In addition to his salary, Mr. Turcotte receives an automobile allowance of $1,000 per month.  On the commencement of his employment, Mr. Turcotte received 20,610 shares having a value of $100,000 subject to a 12-month hold period.  On June 30, 2003, Mr. Turcotte is to receive a cash bonus of $30,000.  In January 2004, he is to receive Common Shares from Treasury with a value of $125,000 and subject to a 12-month hold period.  Mr. Turcotte is to participate in the Corporation’s incentive plans for senior management.  This participation is to recognize, in a manner to be determined, the value of certain rights that Mr. Turcotte forfeited with his former employer by accepting employment with the Corporation.  Mr. Turcotte’s pension entitlement, in addition to the regular benefits under the Company’s pension plans, includes up to two additional years of pension credit, no actuarial reduction for retirement at age 55 and security for that portion of his pension in excess of limitations imposed under the Income Tax Act.  If Mr. Turcotte’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, then he is to receive an amount equal to two years’ salary on his termination, provided that, in the event of a change of control leading to Mr. Turcotte’s termination, he is entitled to receive three years’ salary.



Report on Executive Compensation by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee


Pursuant to the Corporation’s reorganization under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), a new Board of Directors was constituted on January 29, 2002.  Committees of the Board, including the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, were established on March 15, 2002.  The Human Resources and Compensation Committee is composed of three directors who are neither executives nor former executives of the Corporation.  It is the mandate of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee to make recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning compensation for directors and senior executives of the Corporation.


With the assistance of compensation consultants, the Corporation’s Board of Directors has adopted a comprehensive compensation plan for executives which will go into effect commencing in 2003.  The objective of the compensation plan is to target overall compensation of the Corporation’s executives at the 50th percentile of total compensation paid by a comparator group of Canadian manufacturing concerns.  The compensation program provides for base wages to be established at less than the 50th percentile of the comparator group with a more significant variable pay component.  The variable component of compensation is comprised of a short-term incentive plan and a long-term incentive plan.  The short-term plan is payable based on achievement of corporate and individual performance targets established annually.  The short-term plan has a ceiling of 75% of annual salary for the President and CEO and 50% for other executive officers.  80% of any award will be determined on performance against corporate objectives and 20% based on individual performance.  A minimum of 25% of any award under the short-term plan is to be invested by the executive in restricted share units described on page 7 of the Circular.


The long-term incentive plan is comprised solely of awards of options under the Option Plan described on pages 7 and 8 of the Circular.  Annual awards will be made based on the number of restricted share units acquired by the executive in the year.


The Committee and the Corporation’s Board of Directors believes that this compensation program aligns the interests and compensation of executives with shareholder interests.  This is achieved by making a significant portion of compensation dependent on corporate performance and through having a substantial part of compensation paid in the form of restricted  share units and options.

  


Submitted on behalf of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee:

James Lawson, Chair

Charles Masson

Doug Olthuis



Corporate Governance


The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has issued a series of guidelines (the “Guidelines”) respecting corporate governance.  The TSX has proposed changes to the Guidelines in April 2002, which were enhanced by additional proposals in November 2002 (the “Proposed Guidelines”).  The TSX has adopted as a listing requirement the disclosure by each listed corporation of its approach to corporate governance with reference to the Guidelines.  The required disclosure in respect of the Board of Directors as currently constituted and the corporate governance practices of the Company are set out in matrix form in Schedule C to this Circular.  The Corporation is in compliance with the disclosure required by the Guidelines, and in certain circumstances, the disclosure reflects the Proposed Guidelines.  The Corporation is taking all necessary steps to ensure compliance with the Proposed Guidelines or any successor proposals issued by the TSX, once those guidelines are approved by the TSX.  


Common Share Performance


On April 23, 2001, the Corporation obtained Court protection under CCAA.  On January 29, 2002, Algoma’s Plan of Arrangement and Reorganization (the “Plan”) was implemented and the Corporation emerged from CCAA protection.  Under the Plan, the Corporation’s then existing common shares had no value and were cancelled and new Common Shares were issued and distributed to Noteholders, employees and unsecured creditors.  The new Common Shares began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on February 21, 2002.


The following graph compares the monthly total cumulative shareholder return for $100 invested in the new Common Shares from February 21, 2002 to December 31, 2002 with the cumulative total return of the S&P / TSX Composite Index for the same period.  No dividends were declared on Common Shares of the Corporation during the period.



Cumulative Total Return on $100 Investment from

 February 21, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

The contents of this Management Information Circular and the sending thereof have been approved by the directors of the Corporation.



DATED this 28th day of March, 2003.


 

PAUL C. FINLEY

Vice President - Business Development

and Corporate Secretary





The Corporation will provide to any person (without charge to security holders of the Corporation), upon request to the Vice President - Business Development and Corporate Secretary, 105 West Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 7B4, one copy of:


(i)

the latest Annual Information Form of the Corporation filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada;


(ii)

the latest Management Information Circular of the Corporation; and


(iii)

any unaudited interim financial statements sent to shareholders after the date of the Corporation's most recently completed financial year.




SCHEDULE A

 

Resolution Relating To The

Restricted Share Unit Plan

 

BE IT RESOLVED that:



1.

subject to regulatory approval, the creation of the Restricted Share Unit Plan, substantially in the form as described in the Corporation’s Management Information Circular dated March 28, 2003, is hereby approved;


2.

the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Restricted Share Unit Plan will be 1,000,000;


3.

any director or officer of the Corporation is hereby authorized and directed for and in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation to execute, or to cause to be executed, whether under the corporate seal of the Corporation or otherwise, and to deliver or cause to be delivered all such other documents and instruments, and to do or cause to be done all such other acts and things as, in the opinion of such director or officer, may be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the intent of this resolution.




SCHEDULE B


Resolution Relating To The

Share Option Plan



BE IT RESOLVED that:



1.

subject to regulatory approval, the creation of the Share Option Plan, substantially in the form as described in the Corporation’s Management Information Circular dated March 28, 2003, is hereby approved;


2.

the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Share Option Plan will be 2,000,000;


3.

any director or officer of the Corporation is hereby authorized and directed for and in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation to execute, or to cause to be executed, whether under the corporate seal of the Corporation or otherwise, and to deliver or cause to be delivered all such other documents and instruments, and to do or cause to be done all such other acts and things as, in the opinion of such director or officer, may be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the intent of this resolution.



SCHEDULE C

Corporate Governance

 

 

TSX Corporate

Corporation

 

Governance Guidelines

Status *

Comments

     

1. Board should explicitly

   

assume responsibility for

   

stewardship of the

   

Corporation, and specifically

   

for:

   
     

a. adoption of a strategic

Yes

The Board supervised an extensive strategic

planning process and the

 

planning process in 2002. This process will be

approval and review, on at

 

ongoing in 2003 with Board involvement.

least an annual basis, of a

   

strategic plan that takes into

   

account the risks and

   

opportunities of business

   
     

b. identification of principal

Yes

The business plan presented annually by

risks, and implementing risk

 

management identifies the principal risks confronting

management systems

 

the Corporation and sets out the strategies and

   

systems proposed to be employed to manage the

   

risks. After the plan has been approved by the

   

Board, the Board monitors management's

   

implementation of the plan, including risk

   

management.

     

c. succession planning and

Yes

The Human Resources and Compensation

monitoring senior

 

Committee, with the assistance of the CEO, reviews

management, and the CEO in

 

and reports to the Board on organizational structure

particular

 

and succession planning matters on a periodic

   

basis, including the succession planning and

   

monitoring of the CEO.

     

d. communications policy

Partly

Communications issues and initiatives are reviewed

   

by the Board.

     

e. integrity of internal control

Yes

The Board, through the Audit Committee and with

and management information

 

the assistance of the external auditors, regularly

systems

 

monitors and reviews the integrity of the

   

Corporation’s internal control and management

   

information systems.

     
     

2. a. Majority of directors

Yes

If the proposed nominees are elected as directors,

should be "unrelated" (see

 

the majority of directors will be unrelated.

Note A)

   
     

b. If the Corporation has a

Yes

Please see page 3 of this Management Information

significant shareholder, the

 

Circular.

Board should include a

   

number of directors who do

   

not have interests in or

   

relationships with the

   

significant shareholder

   
     
     

3. Disclosure of the Board's

Yes

The Board has determined that the related directors

analysis respecting the

 

are Messrs. Kallio, Nott and Turcotte, by virtue of

Board's determination as to

 

their employment with the Corporation, and Mr.

whether individual directors

 

Lawson, by virtue of his partnership in Torys, the

are "related" or "unrelated" to

 

Corporation’s external counsel.

the Corporation or the

   

significant shareholder

   
     
     

4. a. Appoint a committee

Yes

The Corporate Governance Committee is

responsible for the

 

responsible.

nomination and appointment

   

of directors and the

   

assessment of directors on

   

an on-going basis

   
     

b. Composed exclusively of

Yes

The Corporate Governance Committee has no

non-management directors,

 

management directors. The majority of the

the majority of whom are

 

members of the Corporate Governance Committee

unrelated

 

are unrelated directors.

     
     

5. Implement a process for

Yes

The Corporate Governance Committee has

assessing the effectiveness

 

responsibility for the process of assessing the

of the Board, its committees

 

effectiveness of the Board and its directors. An

and individual directors

 

assessment of Board effectiveness by an

   

independent consultant was completed in early

   

2003.

     
     

6. Provide orientation and

Yes

Reports and other documentation relating to the

education programs for new

 

Corporation's business and affairs are provided to

directors

 

new directors.

     
   

Board meetings have been held at the Corporation's

   

main plant site to give the directors additional insight

   

into the Corporation's business and operations.

     
     

7. Consider the size and

Yes

The Board’s size and composition has been

composition of the Board,

 

established to facilitate effective decision making.

with a view to improving

   

effectiveness (including

   

effective decision making)

   
     
     

8. Review compensation of

Yes

The Human Resources and Compensation

directors and senior

 

Committee reviews and recommends to the Board

management in light of risks

 

for approval the remuneration of directors and senior

and responsibilities

 

management.

     
     

9. a. Committees should

Yes

The Board’s only management director is the

generally be composed of

 

President and CEO. The CEO does not sit on any

non-management directors

 

Board committees although he is invited to attend

   

committee meetings as an observer and to facilitate

   

communication between Board and management.

     

b. Majority of committee

Yes

 

members should be unrelated

   
     
     

10. Responsibility for

Yes

The Corporate Governance Committee is

approach to corporate

 

responsible.

governance issues

   
     
     

11. Define limits to

Yes

The Board and the CEO have defined their areas of

management's

 

responsibility through such mechanisms as the

responsibilities and corporate

 

CEO's employment contract, the definition of

objectives for the CEO

 

spending requiring Board approval, and the

   

mandates of Board Committees. The Board and the

   

CEO review the CEO's responsibility for the

   

achievement of corporate objectives.

     
     

12. Establish structures and

Yes

The Board meets independently of management

procedures to enable the

 

where needed.

Board to function

   

independently of

 

The Chairman of the Board is not a member of

management

 

management and is charged with ensuring that the

   

Board can function independently of management.

   

The Chairman oversees the Board in carrying out its

   

responsibilities effectively. The Board meets

   

regularly without management present.

     
     

13. a. Establish an Audit

Yes

The Audit Committee's roles and responsibilities

Committee with a specifically

 

include:

defined mandate

   
   

- direct communication with the external

   

auditors and the Corporation's financial

   

personnel;

   

- oversight of management's responsibility on

   

internal controls;

   

- ensuring that management has designated

   

and implemented an effective system of

   

internal control;

   

- reviewing and recommending for Board

   

approval quarterly and annual financial

   

statements and other financial documents.

     

b. All members should be

Yes

 

non-management directors

   
     

c. All members should be

Yes

All members are financially literate and Patrick

financially literate and at least

 

Lavelle and Charles Masson have accounting or

one member should have

 

related financial expertise.

accounting or related financial

   

expertise (See Note B)

   
     
     

14. Implement a system to

Yes

Individual directors can engage outside advisers

enable individual directors to

 

with the authorization of the Chairman of the Board.

engage outside advisers, at

   

the Corporation's expense

   


* "Yes" indicates that the Corporation is generally aligned with the understood intent of the Guideline.


  "Partly" indicates that the Corporation is partially aligned with the understood intent of the Guideline.


  "No" indicates that the Corporation is not generally aligned with the understood intent of the Guideline.


NOTE A:

An "unrelated director" is a director who is: (a) not a member of management and is free from any interest and any business, family or other relationship which could reasonably be perceived to materially interfere with the director’s ability to act with a view to the best interests of the issuer, other than interests and relationships arising solely from holdings in the issuer; (b) not currently, or has not been within the last three years, an officer, employee of or material service provider to the issuer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; and (c) not a director (or similarly situated individual) officer, employee or significant shareholder of an entity that has a material business relationship with the issuer.  TSX does not consider a chair or vice chair of the board of directors who is not a member of management to be a related director.


NOTE B:

The Board has determined that the definition of “financial literacy” is the ability to read and

understand a balance sheet, an income statement, a cash flow statement and the notes attached thereto, and the definition of “accounting or related financial experience” is the  ability to analyze and interpret a full set of financial statements, including the notes.