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In order to fulfill their responsibilities, Board members, should
be provided with complete, adequate and timely information prior
to Board meetings on an on-going basis.
Management should have an obligation to supply the Board with complete,
adequate information in a timely manner. Reliance purely on what
is volunteered by Management is unlikely to be enough in all circumstances
and further inquiries may be required if the particular director
is to fulfill his or her duties properly. Hence, the Board may have
separate and independent access to the company's senior management.
The information may include the background or explanatory information
relating to matters to be brought before the Board, copies of disclosure
documents, budgets, forecasts and monthly internal financial statements.
With respect to the budget, any variance between the projections
and actual results should also be disclosed and explained.
Directors should also have a separate and independent access to
the Corporate Secretary. The role of the Corporate Secretary should
be clearly defined and should include responsibility for ensuring
that Board procedures are being followed and that applicable rules
and regulations are complied with. The Corporate Secretary should
attend all Board meetings.
The Board should have a procedure for directors, either individually
or as a group, in the furtherance of their duties, to take independent
professional advice, if necessary, at the corporation's expense.
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