PROTECTING THE COMPANY’S ASSETS, RESOURCES AND DATA1
ACCURACY OF BOOKS AND RECORDS AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURES
DUTIES TO STAKEHOLDERS
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND PERSONAL BEHAVIOUR
POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES
[1]These principles are for summary purposes only. For more detailed information on each of these items consult the Code attached.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY DO WE HAVE A CODE?
The Code serves as a guide for how you should conduct yourself as a member of the Enwave team. Preserving our corporate culture is vital to the organization and following the Code helps us do that.
WHO MUST FOLLOW THE CODE?
All directors, officers, and employees of Enwaveand those subsidiaries that have not adopted their own Code of Conduct with policies consistent with the provisions of the Code.
WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?
You have two responsibilities. First, you must follow every aspect of the Code and certify your commitment each year. Second, if you suspect someone may be violating the Code you have an obligation to report it. To make a report, follow the section of the Code: “Reporting Potential Code Violations”.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM?
The Code attempts to deal with the most common issues that you may encounter, but it cannot address every question that may arise. When you are not sure what to do, ask yourself the following questions:
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions your proposed conduct may violate the Code and you should ask for help.
HOW SHOULD I ASK FOR HELP?
If you have questions about the Code or about the best course of action to take in a particular situation, you should seek guidance from your supervisor or internal legal counsel.
WHAT IF I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN ANONYMOUS REPORT?
You may make an anonymous report by contacting the company’s reporting hotline, which is operated by an independent third party and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you choose to make an anonymous report, your anonymity will be protected to the fullest extent possible. Keep in mind, however, that maintaining your anonymity may limit the company’s ability to investigate your concerns.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING THE CODE?
Violations of the Code can vary in its consequences. If you are an employee, it could result in a reprimand or other disciplinary action, including the termination of your employment at the company for cause. If you are a director, a violation may necessitate your resignation. Certain violations of the Code also contravene applicable laws and therefore can have severe consequences outside of Enwave. Depending on your actions, failing to comply with the Code could lead to civil or criminal prosecution, which could result in substantial fines, penalties and/or imprisonment.
The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) applies to all directors, officers, and employees of Enwave Canada Investment Holdings Inc., including its controlled and non-controlled subsidiaries(collectively, “we,” “us,” “our”, “Enwave” or the “company”), unless such controlled and non-controlled subsidiaries have adopted their own Code of Conduct with policies that are consistent with the provisions of this Code.
PROTECTING THE COMPANY’S ASSETS, RESOURCES AND DATA
The company’s assets are to be used only for legitimate business purposes.
The company’s assets are for business, not personal use. We all have a responsibility to protect and safeguard the company’s assets from loss, damage, theft, misuse and waste. If you become aware of loss, damage, theft, misuse or waste of our assets, or have any questions about your proper use of them, you should speak with your supervisor. The company’s name (including its corporate letterhead and logo), facilities and relationships are valuable assets and must only be used for authorized company business.
If you use the company’s assets for personal benefit, or are otherwise wasteful with the company’s assets, you may be in breach of your duty to the company. You have a responsibility not to abuse company resources for expense reimbursement. Any requests for reimbursement for authorized company expenses must be for legitimate business expenses. If you are unsure whether a certain expense is legitimate, you should speak with your supervisor.
Confidential information must be protected at all times.
We must protect confidential information in our possession - both information about us and information about our customers, suppliers, shareholders and other third parties. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, all confidential memos, notes, lists, records and other documents in your possession, in hard and soft copy. All of these are to be delivered to the company promptly after your employment ceases or at any time upon the company’s request, and your obligation to protect this information continues after you leave the company. You must protect hard and soft copies of confidential information that are removed from the office (e.g., to be worked with at home or at external meetings).
It is important to use discretion when discussing company business. This includes not discussing company business internally, except with those individuals at the company that “need to know” the information. Additionally, be careful not to discuss company business in public places such as elevators, restaurants, and public transportation, or when using your phone or email outside of the office. You should also be careful not to leave confidential information in unattended conference rooms or in public places where others can access it. While at Enwave,if you become aware of confidential information about the company or another entity that you know or suspect has been inadvertently disclosed, seek guidance from internal legal counsel before using or acting upon this information.
Personal data2 held by or on behalf of the company must be used in compliance with data protection laws.
The company collects personal data regarding individuals both inside and outside the organization where we have the lawful basis for doing so. This is necessary to effectively and efficiently administer and manage the operation of our business. Personal data includes, among other things, sensitive personal, medical and financial information. Personal data will only be held by the company for as long as we have a lawful basis for retaining it.
You must take all reasonable steps to ensure that personal data is kept confidential and accessed only by those individuals at the company that have a need to know this information to carry out their duties. In addition, if it is necessary to the conduct of business to disclose personal data to a third party (e.g., so that a third party may provide services to the company or acquire an asset or business of the company) then you must ensure that the third party is subject to a written agreement which contains confidentiality obligations and, where relevant, other obligations which must be included under the data protection laws of certain jurisdictions (e.g. in the EU) and generally. In all other cases, you may only disclose personal data pursuant to a legal or regulatory requirement.
You are responsible for ensuring that you understand and comply with our data policies.
Intellectual property belongs to the company.
During the course of your employment, you may be involved in the creation, development, or invention of intellectual property such as concepts, methods, processes, inventions, confidential information, and trade secrets, works of authorship, trademarks, service marks and designs. All such intellectual property and the rights therein, such as copyrights and patents, will be owned by the company and your moral rights to such intellectual property will be waived. You are responsible for cooperating with the company and providing all necessary assistance to ensure that all intellectual property and related rights become the exclusive property of the company.
The documents of the company must be preserved.
It is critical that you help preserve our business records, follow the guidelines set forth in any document retention policies and comply with related legal and regulatory requirements. If you are notified that your documents are relevant to an anticipated or pending litigation, investigation or audit, you must follow the guidance set forth in the notification that you receive from legal counsel regarding retention of documents.
ACCURACY OF BOOKS AND RECORDS AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURES
Ensure that the books and records of the company are complete and accurate and that all business transactions are properly authorized.
The books and records of the company must reflect all its transactions in order to permit the preparation of accurate financial statements. Employees must never conceal information from (i) an external auditor; or (ii) an audit committee of the company. In addition, it is unlawful for any person to fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead an external auditor of the company.
The company’s contracts and agreements govern our business relationships. Because the laws governing contracts and agreements are numerous and complicated, we have put in place policies and procedures to ensure that any contract entered into by the company has the appropriate level of approval. As a result, employees who enter into contracts or agreements on behalf of the company must have proper authorization to do so and, prior to their execution, these documents must be reviewed by legal counsel where required by policy or practice.
Ensure that the company provides full, true and plain public disclosure.
All employees who are responsible for the preparation of the company’s public disclosures, or who provide information as part of this process, must ensure that public disclosures of information are made honestly and accurately. Employees must be aware of and report any of the following: (a) fraud or deliberate errors in the preparation, maintenance, evaluation, review or audit of any financial statement or financial record; (b) deficiencies in, or noncompliance with, internal accounting controls;(c) misrepresentations or false statements in any public disclosure document; or (d) deviations from full, true, and plain reporting of the company’s financial condition.
Additionally, each person who is in a financial reporting oversight role, and their immediate family members, are prohibited from obtaining any tax or other services from the external auditor, irrespective of whether the company or such person pays for the services.
DUTIES TO STAKEHOLDERS
Deal fairly with the company’s stakeholders.
You must deal fairly with the company’s customers, suppliers, other stakeholders and competitors. To preserve our reputation and relationship with stakeholders, do not engage in any illegal or unethical conduct when dealing with stakeholders or competitors.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA
Use the company’s various forms of communication properly and appropriately.
All business matters that involve electronic, written communication must be conducted by employees on the company’s email system or through other systems provided by the company (such as internal electronic communication messaging). You must at all times use our e-mail, Internet, telephones, and other forms of communication appropriately and professionally. While we appreciate the need for limited use of these tools for personal purposes, your use should not be excessive or detract from your work. Employees should not email business information to their personal email accounts or maintain a copy of business information on their personal computers or other non-work electronic devices. When using company-provided technologies such as computers, cell phones and voicemail, you should not expect that the information you send or receive is private. Your activity may be monitored to ensure these resources are used appropriately.
Be cautious in your use of social media.
The company’s social media policy is that, unless you are expressly authorized, you are strictly prohibited from commenting, or posting about, or otherwise discussing the company, its customers, and our shareholders and their securities, investments, and other business matters on all social media forums, including, but not limited to, social networks, chat rooms, wikis, virtual worlds, and blogs (collectively, “social media”). You are a representative of Enwave when engaging in online activities and you must ensure that your behavior online, including on social media, is appropriate and consistent with our values.
Do not speak on behalf of the company unless authorized to do so.
Our shareholders employ professionals who are trained and qualified as spokespersons to release information to the public and legal counsel who are authorized to communicate with regulators, stock exchanges, and other members of the public or media. You may be contacted by a member of the media, a shareholder, a financial analyst, a governmental authority or any other third party for information about the company or our shareholders and their business, and a response can have far-reaching implications, including effects on our ability to compete. When we provide information on the company’s operational strategies, financial results or other material information, we must ensure both that the information is accurate and that it is an appropriate time to “go public” with that information. If you receive a request from outside the company to speak on the company’s behalf and you are not authorized to do so, refer the request to your supervisor, who may forward the request to the CEO, who may seek guidance from individuals employed in investor relations or communications at our shareholders.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND PERSONAL BEHAVIOUR
Exhibit personal behavior that reinforces a positive image of you and the company.
Your personal behavior, both inside and outside work, should reinforce a positive image of you, the company and its clients, and our shareholders. It is essential to use good judgment in all your personal and business dealings. You should refrain from engaging in activities that could hurt the company’s reputation, or yours, and that could undermine the relationship of trust between you and the company. Employees who have acted inappropriately may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination for cause.
Remember your duties to Enwave,when participating in outside personal interests.
The company encourages directors and employees to be active participants in their community. While pursuing personal, political, not-for-profit activities or other like activities, be mindful that your participation in any outside interest must not prevent you from adequately discharging your duties to the company. In addition, ensure that when you are involved in these activities you are not seen to be speaking or acting on behalf of the company or our shareholders without express authority.
Avoid situations in which your personal interests’ conflict with the interests of the company or others as clients of the company.
A “conflict of interest” for this purpose occurs when a person’s private interest interferes, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the company. You may have a conflict of interest if you are involved in any activity that prevents you from performing your duties to the company properly, or that may create a situation that could affect your ability to act objectively, effectively and in the best interests of the company. Accordingly, you must place the company’s interest in any business matter ahead of any personal interest. Remember that the company’s interest includes the company’s obligations to its clients.
The best way to judge whether you may have a conflict of interest is to ask yourself whether a well-informed person would reasonably conclude that your interest could in any way influence your decision or performance in carrying out a duty on behalf of the company. To avoid conflicts of interest, identify potential conflicts when they arise and contact internal legal counsel if you are unsure whether a conflict exists. In addition, if you become aware of any conflict or potential conflict of another director, officer or employee, you should consult with internal legal counsel or the CEO, as appropriate.
Obtain permission before pursuing business activities outside the scope of your role with the company.
“Other Business Activities,” otherwise known as “OBAs” include any business activities outside the scope of one’s role with the company, including any activity as an employee, independent contractor, sole proprietor, officer, director, or partner of another business organization, regardless of whether compensation is involved. Employees must receive approval from their supervisor and/or CEO and the company’s internal legal counsel prior to accepting an OBA. Directors of the company must advise the Chair of their Board of Directors prior to taking on any OBAs.
Prior approval is not required to serve on boards of charities or small, private family holding companies that have no relation to the company. For greater clarity, approval is not needed to serve on the board of a family holding company which is an extension of one’s personal business affairs; however, it is needed to serve on the board of a private operating business with significant operations. When in doubt as to whether you need to obtain permission, ask the company’s internal legal counsel.
Do not take corporate opportunities as your own personal opportunities.
You are prohibited from taking personal advantage of a business or investment opportunity that you become aware of through your work at Enwave. You owe a duty to the company to advance its interests when the opportunity arises, and you must not compete with the company in any way.
POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT
Be committed to our respectful work environment free from discrimination, violence, and harassment.
The company does not tolerate workplace discrimination, violence or harassment. All directors, officers and employees must ensure that the company is a safe and respectful environment where high value is placed on integrity, fairness and respect. Refer to the company’s Policy Against Workplace Harassment and Violence for further details.
You have a duty to report discrimination, violence and harassment.
If you experience or become aware of what you believe to be discrimination, violence or harassment, you are expected to report it in accordance with the “Reporting Potential Code Violations” section of the Code and the company’s Policy Against Workplace Harassment and Violence. Reports of discrimination, violence or harassment will be taken seriously and investigated. If you are found to be discriminating against, acting or threatening to act violently towards, or harassing any individual at Enwave, or if you knowingly condone the discrimination of, violence towards, or harassment of another individual, you will face corrective action up to and including termination without notice and for cause.
We want to create a culture of reporting when it comes to discrimination, violence and harassment, as reporting is essential for us as a company to stamp out these behaviours. While we reserve the right to take corrective action if you knowingly make a false accusation about an innocent party, you will not face retaliation for making a good faith report or assisting in the investigation of a report.
Be committed to ensuring the health and safety of fellow directors, officers and employees.
We all have the right to work in an environment that is safe and healthy. In this regard, you must:
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of serious bodily harm, first call local law enforcement authorities and then report the incident in accordance with the “Reporting Potential Code Violations” section of the Code.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES
Know and comply with all laws, rules, regulations and policies applicable to your position.
Many of the company’s activities are governed by laws, rules, regulations and policies that are subject to change. If you have questions about the applicability or interpretation of certain laws, rules, regulations or policies relevant to your duties at the company you should consult with the company’s internal legal counsel. In the event a local law, custom or practice conflicts with the Code you must adhere to whichever is most stringent. If you know of any of our practices that may be illegal, you have a duty to report it. Ignorance of the law is not, in general, a defense to breaking the law. We expect you to make every reasonable effort to become familiar with the laws, rules, regulations and policies affecting your activities and to comply with them. If you have any doubts as to the applicability or interpretation of any of the above, you should obtain advice from the company’s internal legal counsel.
Do not give or receive bribes, including “facilitation payments”.
We value our reputation for conducting business with honesty and integrity. It is vital for us to maintain this reputation as it generates confidence in our business by our stakeholders, which ultimately means it is good for business. We do not pay bribes in furtherance of our business, either directly or indirectly, and you are not permitted to pay bribes on our behalf or authorize others to pay bribes on our behalf. This commitment comes from the highest levels of management and the Board, and you must meet this
standard. Facilitation payments[1] are also a form of bribe and are therefore not permitted. Refer to the company’s Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy for further details.
Giving or receiving gifts/entertainment should be reasonable, and in certain cases prohibited.
Gifts and entertainment given to or received from persons who have a business relationship with the company are generally acceptable, if the gift or entertainment is modest in value, appropriate to the business relationship, and does not create an appearance of impropriety. No cash or cash equivalent payments should be given or received. In addition, gifts must not be given to or received from public officials. Employees who do not comply with these requirements may be required to reimburse the company for the value of any gifts or benefits they make or receive on behalf of the company. Refer to the company’s Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy for further details.
There may be restrictions on your political donations to candidates and political parties.
To ensure that we do not breach the law regarding political donations in any country, all political donations, no matter how small, made on behalf of the company (directly or indirectly) must be approved in advance by the person(s) designated to approve such donations. Political donations made by individuals on their own behalf should comply with local laws and regulations. In the U.S. and Canada, various federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations impose specific restrictions and rules with respect to political contributions, both those made on behalf of the company or made by individuals on their own behalf, which can carry significant penalties for the company for violations.
We must prevent the use of our operations for money laundering or any activity that facilitates money laundering, the financing of terrorism, or other criminal activities.
The company is strongly committed to preventing the use of its operations for money laundering, the financing of terrorism, or other criminal activities, and will take appropriate actions to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws. Jurisdictions may publish lists of individuals and organizations that the company is prohibited from accepting funds from or distributing funds to under applicable anti-money laundering laws. Employees are expected to use reasonable care to verify that counterparties are not owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, sanctioned governments, groups, individuals or others. This includes requiring counterparties to make anti-money laundering representations in documents with the company, which internal legal counsel can provide upon request.
You should consider your rights and obligations when providing information to governmental authorities.
During or following your employment or directorship at Enwaveyou may be contacted by governmental authorities (e.g., law enforcement, securities regulators, etc.) who are seeking confidential information from you which you obtained through your association with Enwave. Whether you are able to respond to these questions or not, we strongly recommend that, for your own protection, you do not speak with authorities without first seeking legal advice on your rights and obligations. In this situation, you may contact the company’s internal legal counsel who can help you retain counsel that can assist you.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in the Code prohibits or restricts you in any way from providing information to a government authority pursuant to applicable whistleblowing regulations.
3 Facilitation payments are small payments made to secure or speed up routine actions or otherwise induce public officials or other third parties to perform routine functions they are otherwise obligated to perform, such as issuing permits, approving immigration documents, or releasing goods held in customs. This does not include legally required administrative fees or fees to fast-track services.
You have internal reporting obligations in the event you are convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.
We are only as good as our people, and therefore our reputation depends on the reputation of the individuals who serve the company as a director, officer or employee. Our screening process at Enwave is rigorous and includes background checks so that we have the best information possible about our prospective directors, officers and employees. Once at Enwave,we expect you to continue to adhere to these principles of openness, honesty and transparency. If at any time while you are associated with the company you are convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or are involved in any conduct that you think may be relevant to your reputation, you have an obligation to report this information to internal legal counsel or your supervisor so that it may be appropriately documented internally.
REPORTING POTENTIAL CODE VIOLATIONS
You are strongly encouraged to make good faith reports.
Internal reporting is critical to the company’s success, and it is both expected and valued. You are required to be proactive and promptly report any suspected violations of the Code, or any illegal or unethical behavior that you become aware of. When making a report, please include specific details and back-up documentation where feasible in order to permit adequate investigation of the concern or conduct reported. Vague, nonspecific or unsupported allegations are inherently more difficult to pursue.
Examples of Code violations include fraud, misconduct, unethical or illegal behaviour, bribery, corruption or harassment. Employees should report violations of the Code to their supervisor, since their supervisor is generally in the best position to resolve the issue. Alternatively, you may contact the company’s internal legal counsel to report potential Code violations, or if you have any specific or general questions. Directors should promptly report violations to the Chair of their Board of Directors.
In the event you do not want to report violations to your supervisor or internal legal counsel, you can always make a report anonymously through the company’s reporting hotline.
Our reporting hotline (the “Reporting Hotline”) is managed by Navex Global, an independent third party. The Reporting Hotline allows anyone to call anonymously (if they so choose) to report suspected unethical, illegal or unsafe behavior in English and other languages. The Reporting Hotline is available toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Refer to the “Contact Information” section of the Code for the Reporting Hotline contact information.
Reports will be kept confidential and will be dealt with appropriately.
The confidentiality of reported violations will be maintained to the fullest extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate review and subject to applicable law. We would prefer that you identify yourself to facilitate our investigation of any report; however, you can make an anonymous report.
Upon receipt of a reported violation to the Reporting Hotline, details of the complaint will be received by Human Resources and/or internal legal counsel, as appropriate, who will investigate the report or escalate it in a manner that is appropriate in the circumstances.
Upon conclusion of an investigation, Enwave will determine whether any remedial action is appropriate or required. Where permissible, we will provide the individual who raised the potential violation with a debrief of the outcome of the investigation. Violations of the Code may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
The party receiving the initial report must record its receipt, document how the situation was dealt with and file a report with internal legal counsel, which will be retained for the record. Internal legal counsel will report all illegal and unethical conduct found to be in violation of the Code to the appropriate Board of Directors of the Company, or a committee thereof, and externally in accordance with applicable laws.
You will not experience retribution or retaliation for a report made in “good faith”.
No retribution or retaliation will be taken against any person who has filed a report based on the reasonable good faith belief that a violation of the Code has occurred or may in the future occur; however, making a report does not necessarily absolve you (if you are involved) or anyone else of the breach or suspected breach of the Code. The company reserves the right to discipline you if you provide false information or make an accusation you know to be untrue. This does not mean that the information that you provide has to be correct, but it does mean that you must reasonably believe that the information is truthful and demonstrates a possible violation of the Code. If you believe that you have been unfairly or unlawfully retaliated against, you may file a report with your supervisor or the company’s internal legal counsel, or by calling the Reporting Hotline.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR CODE VIOLATIONS
Please note that we reserve the right to take disciplinary action for Code violations that fits the nature and particular facts of the violation. This could include immediate termination for cause and, if warranted, legal proceedings may be brought against you.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
Upon joining Enwave and/or its subsidiaries(unless such controlled and non-controlled subsidiaries have adopted their own Code of Conduct with policies that are consistent with the provisions of this Code)each director, officer and employee will be provided with a copy of the Code and required to sign an acknowledgement. On an annual basis, each director, officer and employee will be required to re-certify compliance with the Code. Annual execution of a Statement of Compliance with the Code shall be a condition of your continued directorship or employment with the company.
WAIVERS
A waiver of the Code will be granted only in very exceptional circumstances. A Code waiver for Enwave’s employees must be approved by the CEO.
Enwave’s Board of Directors reviews and approves the Code on at least an annual basis and is ultimately responsible for monitoring compliance with the Code.
CONTACT INFORMATION
REPORTING HOTLINE
1-833-627-1012
LEGAL NOTICE
The company reserves the right to modify, suspend or revoke the Code and any related policies, procedures, and programs at any time. The company also reserves the right to interpret and amend the Code and these policies in its sole discretion. Any amendments to the Code will be disclosed and reported as required by applicable law.
The company employs unionized employees. If the Code conflicts with a collective bargaining agreement governing the wages and/or conditions of employment for unionized employees, the collective bargaining agreement will prevail; if a collective bargaining agreement is silent with respect to an area addressed in the Code, or if the Code supplements a collective bargaining agreement, unionized employees are expected to abide by the Code.
Neither the Code, nor any of the policies referred to herein, confer any rights, privileges or benefits on any employee, create an entitlement to continued employment at the company, establish conditions of employment for the employee, or create an express or implied contract of any kind between employees and the company. In addition, the Code does not modify the employment relationship between employees and the company.
The Code is posted on our website and intranet. The version of the Code on our website and intranet may be more current and supersedes any paper copies, should there be any discrepancy between paper copies and what is posted online.
