As Portfolio Manager, Palette Investment Management Inc. “Palette” (prior to December 31, 2023, by Backer Wealth Management Inc.) recognizes its responsibility to exercise voting rights in the best interests of clients. This is done by voting proxies against proposals that are likely to decrease shareholder value.

Palette takes a broad, long-term view of shareholder value, understanding that resolutions that may have short–term costs can be beneficial to the long-term health of the corporation. 

Each time that Palette Investment Management Inc. receives proxy-voting materials relating to a meeting of security holders of an issuer, Palette Investment Management Inc. will retain the proxy voting information which includes:

• The name of the issuer;
• The meeting date;
• A list of the items to be voted on;
• Who proposed the items;
• If and how Palette voted;
• Whether Palette voted with or against management.

If Palette Investment Management Inc. decides to vote, the proxy is completed and signed by the Portfolio Manager who is voting the shares.

Palette Investment Management Inc. records all information concerning how Palette Investment Management Inc. voted. To exercise the vote, Palette Investment Management Inc. may do one of the following:

• Sign the proxy, retain one copy on file and send the original to the company; or
• Vote via telephone or the Internet at www.proxyvotecanada.com by using the control number on the proxy, recording the vote on the Internet form and retaining a record of the vote on either paper or electronic forms.