Introduction
This code of ethics (the “Code”) sets out the policies to be followed to ensure the business of Golden Sky Minerals Corp. (the “Company”) is conducted with integrity and in compliance with the law. Every employee, officer and director will be provided with a copy of the Code and is expected to know and follow the policies outlined herein. Any employee or officer who knowingly violates the letter or spirit of these policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Every Company employee, officer and director has the responsibility to obey the law and act ethically. This Code is a guide intended to inform employees, officers and directors of significant legal and ethical issues that may arise and to the steps to be taken to report illegal or unethical conduct. Since it is impossible to address every situation that may arise, this Code is provided as a guideline. The Company must rely on each person’s good sense of what is right, including a sense of when it is proper to seek guidance from others on the appropriate course of conduct. Ultimately, this Code cannot replace the thoughtful behavior of an ethical employee, officer or director.
If you have any questions about this Code or are concerned about conduct you believe violates the Company’s policies or the law, you should consult with the Corporate Secretary, Donna Moroney at (604) 831-9304 (the “Secretary”). Please note that no one at the Company has the authority to make exceptions to these policies, other than the Board of Directors (the “Board”).
Conflict of Interest
Business decisions must be made in the best interest of the Company and not motivated by personal interest or gain. Therefore, all employees, officers and directors must avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest.
A “conflict of interest” occurs when an individual’s personal interests interfere or conflict in any way (or even appear to interfere or conflict) with the interests of the Company. A conflict of interest situation can arise when an employee, officer or director takes actions or has interests (financial or other) that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest also may arise when an employee, officer or director, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company, regardless of whether such benefits are received from the Company or a third party. Federal law prohibits the Company, directly or indirectly, including through a subsidiary, from extending or maintaining credit, arranging for an extension of credit, or renewing an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan for a director or executive officer.
It is difficult to identify exhaustively what constitutes a conflict of interest. For this reason, employees, officers and directors must avoid any situation in which their independent business judgment might appear to be compromised. If you have any concerns or questions about potential conflicts of interest situations, and disclosure of these situations as they arise, they should be addressed and reported to the Secretary.
Corporate Opportunities
Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from:
- Taking for themselves personally opportunities that properly belong to the Company or are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position;
- Using corporate property, information or position for personal gain; and
- Competing with the Company
Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.
Compliance With Laws, Rules and Regulations
Employees, officers and directors must comply fully with all applicable federal, provincial and local laws, rules and regulations that govern the Company’s business conduct, (including, without limitation, federal securities laws).
Reporting Illegal or Unethical Behavior
All employees, officers and directors have a duty to adhere to this Code. Employees are encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel about possible illegal or unethical behavior that has occurred and, when in doubt, about the best course of action in a particular situation.
If you are concerned about a violation of this Code or other illegal or unethical conduct by employees, officers or directors of the Company, contact your supervisor or call the Secretary. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent possible.
No employee will be penalized for making a good-faith report of violations of this Code or other illegal or unethical conduct, nor will the Company tolerate retaliation of any kind against anyone who makes a good-faith report. An employee, officer or director who submits a false report of a violation, however, will be subject to disciplinary action. If you report a violation and in some way also are involved in the violation, the fact that you stepped forward will be considered if or when corrective actions are taken.
The Secretary will be responsible for making sure that appropriate investigations of all reports of violations are conducted. No employee, officer or director should investigate a violation on her/her own. If the result of an investigation indicates that corrective action is required, the Company will decide what steps to take, including, when appropriate, legal proceedings and disciplinary action up to and including termination, to rectify the problem and avoid the likelihood of its recurrence.
Confidentiality
Employees, officers and directors must maintain the confidentiality of all information entrusted to them by the Company, its customers or suppliers, or others with whom it may conduct business, except when disclosure of such information is authorized or legally mandated.
Confidential information includes any information that has not been made available to the public that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the Company or its customers if disclosed. It also includes important non-public information about firms with which the Company has dealings, including customers and suppliers. You should not share confidential information with friends, relatives or other non-employees, or discuss confidential matters in public places, such as elevators, public transportation (including airplanes) or restaurants.
All inquiries regarding the Company from non-employees, such as financial analysts and journalists, should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer. The Company will co-operate with every reasonable request of government investigators for information. At the same time, the Company is entitled to all the safeguards provided by law for the benefit of persons under investigation or accused of wrongdoing, including legal representation. If a representative of any government or government agency seeks an interview with you or requests access to data or documents for the purposes of an investigation, you should refer the representative to the Chief Executive Officer, who will then refer the matter to the solicitor for the Company. You also should preserve all materials, including documents and e-mails, that might relate to any pending or reasonably possible investigation.
Protection and Proper Use of Assets
All employees, officers and directors must protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Such assets include, without limitation, intellectual property such as the Company name, logos, trademarks, patents, copyrights, confidential information, ideas, plans and strategies. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. Any misuse or infringement of the Company’s assets should be reported to the business conduct advisors.
Fair Dealing
Each employee, officer and director must endeavor to deal fairly and in good faith with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors, shareholders and employees. No employee, officer or director shall take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair dealing practices.
The Company’s policy is to select, place and work with all its employees and officers without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, veteran’s status, or actual or perceived sexual orientation. The Company firmly believes in equal opportunity.
Further, it is the responsibility of each of employee, officer and director to help the Company provide a work atmosphere free of harassing, abusive, disrespectful, disorderly, disruptive or other non-professional conduct. Sexual harassment in any form, verbal or physical, by any employee, officer or director will not be tolerated. A violation of this policy will be treated with appropriate discipline, up to and including termination.
Outside Employment
Employees who desire employment unrelated to their work at the Company must carefully avoid conflicts regarding employment transactions, hours of work or any other potential issue, which may interfere with his/her activities with the Company. Employees must bear in mind that their commitment to the Company should be their first responsibility. Before an employee actually obtains outside employment, he/she must request permission in writing from a supervisor.
Employees who fail to obtain prior written permission are subject to dismissal. Permission will not be granted for employment with a competitive company or corporation.
Amendment, Modification and Waiver
This Code may be amended, modified or waived by the Board. Any change to, or waiver of, this Code for executive officers or directors must be disclosed promptly to the Company’s shareholders either by a news release or by publishing a statement on the website of the Company.
Adopted by the Board of Directors of Golden Sky Minerals Corp. on February 16, 2023