SEC Form DEF 14A filed by City Office REIT Inc.

666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210

Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8

March 13, 2024

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

On behalf of the Board of Directors and management, I cordially invite you to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of City Office REIT, Inc. (the “Company,” “City Office” or “CIO”). The Annual Meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 2, 2024 at the Company’s Corporate Office at 666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210, Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8. Details of the business to be presented at the Annual Meeting can be found in this Proxy Statement.

Over our 10 years as a public company, we have shaped our portfolio to target high-quality assets predominantly in growing Sun Belt markets. Within these leading markets, our buildings are well-located and have desirable amenities and attributes. We remain focused on positioning our properties to win leasing and drive cash flow over the long term.

2023 was generally a challenging year for office real estate companies in part due to rapidly rising interest rates and conditions in the capital markets. Despite that, the Company’s quality portfolio and strategic approach to asset management led to solid operating results in 2023. During the year, the Company completed 599,000 square feet of new and renewal leasing. The fourth quarter represented the highest amount of new leasing during any quarter of 2023 for the Company, and the Company has a growing pipeline of leasing prospects to start 2024. Leasing has been driven by the Company’s execution on its spec suite and property enhancement programs. Of note, the average gross rental rate across the Company’s portfolio increased by 4.5% year over year. During 2023, the Company also executed on two key loan renewals and expanded its credit facility by $25 million. The Company believes its operating execution and active steps to enhance the position of the portfolio will benefit shareholders in the long term.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank you for your ongoing support and investment in our Company.

Sincerely,

James Farrar

Chief Executive Officer and Director

666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210

Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8

NOTICE OF 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 2, 2024:

The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Proxy Statement and the 2023 Annual Report are available on City Office REIT, Inc.’s website, www.cioreit.com, and at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/18940/. Information on or connected to these websites is not deemed to be a part of this proxy solicitation or the Proxy Statement.

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By Order of the Board of Directors,

Anthony Maretic

Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

March 13, 2024

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666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210

Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8

PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210

Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8

2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

City Office REIT, Inc. is furnishing this Proxy Statement in connection with our solicitation of proxies to be voted at our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). We will hold the Annual Meeting at the Company’s Corporate Office at 666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210, Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8, on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and any postponements, continuations or adjournments thereof. We are making this Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card available to our stockholders commencing on or about March 13, 2024.

Unless the context suggests otherwise, references in this Proxy Statement to “City Office,” “CIO,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” are to City Office REIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, together with our consolidated subsidiaries, including City Office REIT Operating Partnership, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership of which we are the sole general partner and through which we conduct substantially all of our business (our “Operating Partnership”).

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

At the Annual Meeting, our stockholders will be asked to consider and act upon the following matters:

Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the mail instead of a printed set of proxy materials?

Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we are permitted to furnish our proxy materials online to our stockholders by delivering a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the mail. Unless requested, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instructs you on how to access and review the Proxy Statement and our 2023 Annual Report by visiting http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/18940/. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy online, or how you can request a full set of proxy materials, including a proxy card to return by mail. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting these materials provided in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

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Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on February 22, 2024, the record date for the Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”), are entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

If you hold your shares through a bank, broker or other nominee and intend to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you will need to provide a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other holder of record.

What are the voting rights of stockholders?

Each share of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (our “common stock”) is entitled to one vote. There is no cumulative voting.

How many shares are outstanding?

At the close of business on February 22, 2024, the Record Date, 40,154,055 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding.

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence in person or by proxy of the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

What is the difference between a “stockholder of record” and a “street name” holder?

These terms describe how your shares are held. If your shares are registered directly in your name with Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (“EQ”), our transfer agent and registrar, you are a “stockholder of record.” If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage, bank, trust or other nominee as a custodian, you are a “street name” holder.

If you are a “street name” holder, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and your broker or nominee is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker on how to vote your shares. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person; however, in order to vote your shares in person, you must provide us with a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other stockholder of record. If you are a “street name” holder, in order to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, you must first obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee reflecting the number of shares you held as of the Record Date for the Annual Meeting, your name and email address. You must submit a request for registration to EQ: (1) by email to [email protected]; (2) by facsimile to 718-765-8730; or (3) by mail to Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, Attn: Proxy Tabulation Department, 55 Challenger Road, 2^nd Floor, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660. Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received by EQ no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 25, 2024.

How do I vote?

If you are a registered stockholder, meaning that your shares are registered in your name, you have four voting options. You may vote:

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Please carefully follow the directions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card you received. Proxies submitted online or by telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 1, 2024. Proxies submitted by mail must be received by the Company by 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time, on May 1, 2024.

Can I vote my shares in person at the meeting?

If you are a “stockholder of record,” you may vote your shares in person at the meeting. If you hold your shares in “street name,” you must obtain a proxy from your broker, bank, trustee or nominee, giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting.

What do I need to do to attend the meeting in person?

Proof of stock ownership and some form of government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver’s license or passport) will be required for admission to the meeting in person. If you wish to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, you may contact our Investor Relations at (604) 806-3366. Only stockholders who owned our common stock as of the close of business on February 22, 2024, the Record Date, are entitled to attend the meeting.

If your shares are registered in your name and you owned our common stock as of the close of business on February 22, 2024, the Record Date, you only need to provide some form of government-issued photo identification for admission.

If your shares are held in a bank or brokerage account, contact your bank or broker to obtain a written legal proxy in order to vote your shares at the meeting. If you do not obtain a legal proxy from your bank or broker, you will not be entitled to vote your shares, but you can still attend the meeting if you bring a recent bank or brokerage statement showing that you owned shares of our common stock on February 22, 2024.

What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card?

It means that you have multiple accounts with our transfer agent and/or with a broker, bank or other nominee. You will need to vote separately with respect to each Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card you received. Please vote all of the shares you own.

Can I change my vote after I have mailed in my proxy card?

You may revoke your proxy by doing one of the following:

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How may I vote for each proposal?

None of the proposals, if approved, entitle stockholders to appraisal rights under Maryland law or our amended and restated articles of incorporation (the “Charter”).

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What are the Board of Directors’ recommendations on how I should vote my shares?

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote:

What if I authorize a proxy without specifying a choice on any given matter at the Annual Meeting?

If you are a stockholder of record as of the Record Date and you properly authorize a proxy (whether online, by telephone or by mail) without specifying a choice on any given matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will vote your shares according to the Board of Directors’ recommendation on that matter. If you are a stockholder of record as of the Record Date and you fail to authorize a proxy or vote in person at the Annual Meeting, assuming that a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, it will have no effect on the result of the vote on any of the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

What if I hold my shares through a broker, bank or other nominee?

If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), your broker or other nominee may not vote with respect to certain proposals unless you have provided voting instructions with respect to that proposal.

How are abstentions and broker non-votes treated?

A “broker non-vote” occurs when a bank, broker or other holder of record holding shares of our common stock for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal, because that holder does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Pursuant to Maryland law, abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

Under the rules of the NYSE, brokerage firms may have the discretionary authority to vote their customers’ shares of our common stock on certain routine matters for which they do not receive voting instructions, including the ratification of independent auditors, and thus brokers may vote at their discretion on Proposal 2 if they do not receive voting instructions from you on Proposal 2. Under the rules of the NYSE, Proposals 1 and 3 are not considered “routine” matters for purposes of broker discretionary voting and therefore, brokers may not vote on Proposals 1 or 3 if they do not receive voting instructions from you on Proposals 1 or 3, respectively.

What if I return my proxy card but do not provide voting instructions?

If you return a signed proxy card but do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted by the proxies identified in the proxy card as follows:

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What happens if additional matters are presented at the Annual Meeting?

We know of no other matters other than the items of business described in this Proxy Statement that can be considered at the meeting. If other matters requiring a vote do arise, the persons named as proxies will have the discretion to vote on those matters for you.

Who will count the votes?

A representative of EQ or one of its affiliates will act as the inspector of election and will tabulate votes.

Who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?

We will pay the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy materials. We have retained EQ to assist us in the distribution of proxy materials and the passive solicitation of proxies. We expect to pay EQ and Broadridge Financial Services, Inc. approximately $35,000 in the aggregate for services rendered, including passively soliciting proxies, reviewing of proxy materials, disseminating of brokers’ search cards, distributing proxy materials, operating online and phone voting systems, receiving executed proxies and tabulation of results. We will also request banks, brokers and other holders of record to send the proxy materials to, and obtain proxies from, beneficial owners and will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in doing so.

How do I submit a stockholder proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials for next year’s annual meeting, and what is the deadline for submitting a proposal?

Stockholders who wish to submit a stockholder proposal for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting must comply with the requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC and set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (“Rule 14a-8”), including delivering the required materials to the Company’s Secretary at the following address via registered, certified or express mail to: 666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210, Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8, Attention: Anthony Maretic, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, no later than by November 13, 2024, in order for the proposal to be considered for inclusion in the proxy materials for the 2025 Annual Meeting. All proposals must contain the information specified in, and otherwise comply with, our Bylaws and pursuant to Rule 14a-8. For more information regarding stockholder proposals, see “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations” below.

Stockholders who wish to submit a stockholder proposal outside of the processes of Rule 14a-8, but rather in compliance with the Company’s Bylaws, must comply with the requirements of the Bylaws, which provide that, among other things, for business to be properly brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder, but not included in the Company’s proxy statement, the stockholder must deliver the required materials to the Company’s Secretary at the above address and give timely notice in writing not earlier than October 14, 2024, nor later than the close of business on November 13, 2024 at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, which is the time period that is not earlier than 150 days nor later than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days, notice must be received by the Secretary of the Company not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of the annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which the Company first publicly announces the date of the annual meeting. As to each matter, the notice must contain the information specified in the Bylaws regarding the stockholder giving the notice and the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting. If such notice is received by the Secretary of the Company on or after the close of business on November 13, 2024, then such notice will be considered untimely. Stockholder proposals submitted in this manner will not be included in the Company’s proxy statement or form of proxy. The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.

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The Company’s Bylaws provide that a stockholder of record, both at the time of the giving of the required notice set forth in this sentence and at the time of the 2025 Annual Meeting, entitled to vote at the annual meeting may nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors by delivering the required materials to the Secretary of the Company at the above address and giving timely notice in writing not earlier than October 14, 2024, nor later than the close of business on November 13, 2024 at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, which is the time period that is not more than 150 days nor less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days, notice must be received by the Secretary of the Company not earlier than the 150^th day prior to the date of the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 120^th day prior to the date of the annual meeting or the 10^th day following the day on which the Company first publicly announces the date of the annual meeting. The notice must contain the information specified in the Bylaws regarding the stockholder giving the notice and each person whom the stockholder wishes to nominate for election as a director. The notice must be accompanied by the written consent of each proposed nominee to serve as one of the Company’s directors, if elected.

In addition, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice to the Secretary of the Company that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than March 3, 2025.

In addition to our Bylaws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder. Our Bylaws do not affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or our right to omit a proposal from, our Proxy Statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision).

If I share my residence with another stockholder, how many copies of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials should I receive?

We are sending only a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to any household at which two or more stockholders reside if they share the same last name or we reasonably believe they are members of the same family, unless we have received instructions to the contrary from any stockholder at that address. This practice is known as “householding” and is permitted by rules adopted by the SEC. This practice reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps us to reduce costs. Each stockholder will continue to receive a separate proxy card or voting instructions card. We will deliver promptly, upon written request or oral request, a separate copy of the 2023 Annual Report or Proxy Statement, as applicable, to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was previously delivered. If you received a single set of these documents for your household for this year, but you would prefer to receive your own copy, you may direct requests for separate copies in the future to the following address: City Office REIT, Inc., c/o Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, 55 Challenger Road, 2^nd floor, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660; (800) 937-5449. If you are a stockholder who receives multiple copies of our proxy materials, you may request householding by contacting us in the same manner and requesting a householding consent form.

What if I consent to have one set of materials mailed now but change my mind later?

You may withdraw your householding consent at any time by contacting EQ at the address and phone number provided above. We will begin sending separate copies of stockholders communications to you within 30 days of receipt of your instructions.

The reason I receive multiple sets of materials is because some of the shares belong to my children. What happens if they move out and no longer live in my household?

When we receive notice of an address change for one of the members of the household, we will begin sending separate copies of stockholder communications directly to the stockholder at his or her new address. You may notify us of a change of address by contacting EQ at the address and phone number provided above.

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Other Information

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 is available at www.sec.gov, and, if you received a printed copy of this Proxy Statement, accompanies this Proxy Statement and our 2023 Annual Report. However, the 2023 Annual Report forms no part of the material for the solicitation of proxies.

The 2023 Annual Report may also be accessed through our website at http://www.cioreit.com by clicking on the “Investor Relations” link. At the written request of any stockholder who owns our common stock as of the close of business on the Record Date, we will provide, without charge, additional paper copies of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and financial statement schedule, as filed with the SEC, except exhibits thereto. If requested by eligible stockholders, we will provide copies of the exhibits for a reasonable fee. You can request copies of our 2023 Annual Report by following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or by mailing a written request to:

City Office REIT, Inc.

666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210

Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8

Attention: Secretary

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PROPOSAL NO. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors, provided that there shall never be less than the minimum number required by Maryland law, nor more than 15. The Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at six. All directors are elected for a term of one year and until their successors are elected and qualify. The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has nominated John Sweet, James Farrar, Michael Mazan, John McLernon, Sabah Mirza and Mark Murski for election at the Annual Meeting for a term to expire at the 2025 Annual Meeting and until their successors are duly elected and qualify.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED IN PROPOSAL NO. 1.

It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy, in the absence of a contrary direction, to vote for the election of all of the nominees named in Proposal No. 1. Should any of the nominees become unable or refuse to accept nomination or election as a director, the persons named as proxies intend to vote for the election of such other person as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may recommend. The Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of the nominees might be unable or refuse to accept nomination or election.

Nominees for Election

Information is set forth below regarding each of our Board of Directors’ six nominees.

John Sweet

Mr. Sweet, age 79, has served as one of our independent directors since March 2017 and has been the Chairman of our Board of Directors since February 2023. He has over 40 years of experience in numerous financial and real estate positions with public and private companies. From 2013 to 2016, Mr. Sweet served as founder and Chief Investment Officer of Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE: DOC), a leading healthcare real estate company that grew from approximately $125 million in real estate assets to almost $3 billion during his tenure. Prior to that endeavor, he was a Managing Director for the specialty investment firm BC Ziegler, where he sourced and managed a medical office building investment fund that became the initial portfolio for Physicians Realty Trust. Mr. Sweet also co-founded and played an integral role in the growth of Windrose Medical Properties Trust, a publicly traded medical office real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that completed its initial public offering in 2002. Additionally, Mr. Sweet brings experience at the board level for public company, philanthropic and charitable organizations, including sitting on the board of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (“Wheeler REIT”) (NASDAQ: WHLR) until May 2019. In 2018, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Wheeler REIT. From January 2020 to December 2020, Mr. Sweet served as a board member and Audit Committee Chair of Live Oak Acquisition Corp (NYSE: LOAK), a special purpose acquisition company, which was merged into Danimer Scientific Inc. (NYSE: DNMR) at the end of 2020. Mr. Sweet has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. John Fisher College and an M.B.A. from Rochester Institute of Technology.

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James Farrar

Mr. Farrar, age 48, is our Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO” or “PEO”) and has been a member of our Board of Directors since our initial public offering (“IPO”) in April 2014. He joined Second City Real Estate in October 2009 as a Managing Director where he was responsible for launching its real estate private equity platform. Prior to Second City Real Estate, Mr. Farrar served as the Vice President of a family office with a diversified portfolio concentrated primarily in the real estate and hospitality sectors and as an investment professional with TD Capital, the private equity unit of TD Bank. Mr. Farrar has extensive experience in acquisitions and divestitures and has been involved in the acquisition of over $3.0 billion of commercial real estate. Mr. Farrar received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a chartered accountant, a chartered business valuator and a CFA charterholder. Mr. Farrar brings to our Board of Directors extensive executive management experience gained over 20 years of involvement in the public company, private equity, real estate and corporate finance industries.

Michael Mazan

Michael Mazan, age 56, has served as one of our independent directors since February 2023. Mr. Mazan has over 30 years of experience in investing, management consulting and investment banking. He currently serves as a founding partner of KingsPeak Partners, a boutique private equity investment firm focused on investing in and developing market-leading small to mid-size businesses. Prior to that, from 1999 to 2018, Mr. Mazan was a partner at Birch Hill Equity Partners, a leading private equity firm, where he was responsible for all parts of the investment lifecycle, with a focus on portfolio company building and governance. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Mazan was an investment banking associate at Credit Suisse First Boston, one of the world’s premier investment banks. From 1995 to 1997, he was Director of Finance and Corporate Development at Rogers Wave, a pioneering division of Rogers Communications. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Mazan was a consulting associate at McKinsey & Company, the world’s leading management consulting firm. He also has extensive experience serving as a director for various private and publicly listed companies, having served on 12 boards across various industries during his career. Mr. Mazan has a bachelor of commerce degree from Carleton University and a master of business administration degree from the University of Western Ontario.

John McLernon

Mr. McLernon, age 83, has served as one of our independent directors since our IPO in April 2014 and was the Chairman of our Board of Directors from our IPO in April 2014 to February 2023. He has been president of McLernon Consultants Ltd. since November 2004. From 1977 to 2004, he was chairman and chief executive officer of Macaulay Nicolls Maitland and Co. and its successor, Colliers International, a global real estate services company. Mr. McLernon started his career with Canadian Pacific Railway Limited in 1964 before joining its property development arm, Marathon Realty Company Limited, in Vancouver. In 1977, he became president and chief executive officer of Macaulay Nicolls Maitland and Co., a Vancouver real estate brokerage company, and in 1985 was instrumental in the employee purchase of the company and the formation of Colliers International. From 1977 to 2004, Mr. McLernon guided Colliers International through steady business growth, successfully completing approximately 50 mergers, acquisitions and startups in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. Mr. McLernon is honorary chair of Colliers International, chair of Village Farms International Inc. and sits on the board of Canadian Urban Ltd. He is past chair of British Columbia Railway Company, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund. Mr. McLernon is founding chair of Streetohome Foundation, the Vancouver coalition to end homelessness. Mr. McLernon brings to the Board of Directors extensive experience as an executive at a public company, which enables him to make significant contributions to the deliberations of the Board of Directors, especially in relation to operations, financings and strategic planning. Mr. McLernon has a bachelor of arts from McGill University.

Sabah Mirza

Ms. Mirza, age 49, has served as one of our independent directors since March 2019. She is currently Consultant to the President & CEO of Sunwing Travel Group Inc., the largest tour operator in North America

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with over $3 billion in annual revenue. Prior to that, Ms. Mirza was Executive Vice President & General Counsel for Corus Entertainment (TSX: CJR.B), a leading media and content company that develops and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. From 2010 to 2020, Ms. Mirza was Executive Vice President, Business Affairs at Sunwing Travel Group (“Sunwing”), where she had oversight of legal functions, mergers and acquisitions, governance and government affairs. Ms. Mirza also served as Sunwing’s General Counsel from 2010 to 2019 and began her tenure with Sunwing as Vice President in 2010 before being promoted to Executive Vice President in 2016. Ms. Mirza was key to the establishment of Sunwing’s hotel division in 2010, which now comprises over $1 billion in real estate assets and over 15,000 rooms under management across ten countries. Previously, Ms. Mirza was Vice President & General Counsel at a charter airline, and prior to that she was Vice President and Division Counsel at a subsidiary of L-3 Technologies. Ms. Mirza holds law degrees from the University of Ottawa and is a member of the bar in both Ontario and Quebec. Ms. Mirza brings over 20 years of extensive legal, corporate and management experience across an array of industries, enabling her to make significant contributions to the Board of Directors.

Mark Murski

Mr. Murski, age 48, has served as one of our independent directors since our IPO in April 2014. He is currently a Managing Partner for Brookfield Infrastructure Group and sits on private boards for Brookfield investment companies. He has over 25 years of investment banking and private equity experience with a focus on real estate and infrastructure. Previously, he was a Managing Partner with Brookfield Financial, a global real estate investment bank. As the head of the M&A group, Mr. Murski was responsible for originating and executing mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity capital markets transactions and conducting general corporate finance advisory. Mr. Murski has worked on numerous public and private mergers and acquisitions transactions involving real estate clients such as Dream International REIT, Summit Industrial Income REIT, Realex Properties Corporation, InStorage REIT, Overland Realty Inc., Lone Star, Gazit America Inc. and Atlas Cold Storage. Mr. Murski previously worked in Brookfield’s merchant banking group investing into numerous real estate companies, prior to which he worked at Ernst & Young LLP. Since September 2020, Mr. Murski also serves as a board member of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: CQP). He previously served for seven years on the board of the Greater Toronto Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and was a founding director of Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company. Mr. Murski brings to the Board of Directors extensive executive management experience as well as acquisition and transaction experience with a wide range of real estate clients. Mr. Murski is a CA, CPA, CFA charterholder and a graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Board of Directors and Committees

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CIO” and we are subject to the NYSE listing standards. We have adopted corporate governance guidelines and charters for the Audit, Compensation, Investment and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board of Directors intended to satisfy NYSE listing standards. We have also adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for our directors and officers intended to satisfy NYSE listing standards and the definition of a “code of ethics” set forth in applicable SEC rules. Our corporate governance guidelines, code of ethics and these charters are available on our website at http://www.cioreit.com.

We operate under the direction of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is responsible for the overall management and control of our affairs. Our Board of Directors, or the Investment Committee thereof, must approve all investment decisions involving the acquisitions of properties in accordance with our investment guidelines and upon recommendations made by our management.

We currently have six directors, five of whom our Board of Directors has determined are independent directors under standards established by the SEC and the NYSE. Our independent directors are John Sweet, Michael Mazan, John McLernon, Sabah Mirza and Mark Murski. Directors are elected annually by our

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stockholders, and there is no limit on the number of times a director may be elected to office. Each director serves until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.

Our Board of Directors has approved our objectives and strategies on investments and borrowing. The Board of Directors has delegated certain decision-making authority regarding property acquisitions and dispositions to the Investment Committee. The directors may establish further written objectives and strategies on investments and borrowings, or modify existing strategies and objectives, and will monitor our administrative procedures, investment operations and performance.

Commitment to Good Corporate Governance

Our Company and our Board of Directors are committed to pursuing best practices for overall corporate governance. We have structured our corporate governance in a manner we believe closely aligns our interests with those of our stockholders. Highlights include the following:

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The Board of Directors currently has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Investment Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The directors who serve on these committees and the current Chairman of these committees are set forth below:

The Board of Directors held a total of five meetings during 2023. The number of meetings held by each committee and the Board of Directors during 2023 is set forth below:

During 2023, all incumbent directors who served in 2023 attended at least 75% of the aggregate of:

Our corporate governance guidelines provide that directors are invited and encouraged to attend our annual meeting of stockholders. Each of our directors as of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2023 Annual Meeting”) attended our 2023 Annual Meeting.

Annual Board of Directors Evaluations

Pursuant to our corporate governance guidelines and the charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees an annual evaluation of the performance of the Board of Directors and each committee of the Board of Directors. The evaluation process is designed to assess the overall effectiveness of the Board of Directors and its committees and to identify opportunities for improving the operations and procedures of the Board of Directors and each committee. The process is meant to solicit ideas from directors about (i) improving prioritization of issues, (ii) improving quality of management presentations, (iii) improving quality of Board of Directors or committee discussions on key matters, (iv) identifying specific issues that should be discussed in the future, and (v) identifying any other matters of importance to the functioning of the Board of Directors or committee. The annual evaluations are generally conducted in the first quarter of each calendar year and the results of the annual evaluation are reviewed and discussed by the Board of Directors.

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Board of Directors Committees

We currently have a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Investment Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. All of our standing committees consist solely of independent directors, the principal functions of which are briefly described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. Our Board of Directors may from time to time establish other committees to facilitate our management.

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee consists of Michael Mazan, John McLernon and Mark Murski, and Michael Mazan serves as the chair of the Audit Committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that each of these members is “financially literate” as that term is defined by the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. Our Audit Committee is composed only of directors who are independent in compliance with applicable SEC and NYSE rules.

Our Audit Committee, among other matters, oversees: (1) our financial reporting, auditing and internal control activities; (2) the integrity and audits of our financial statements; (3) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (4) the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors; (5) the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors; and (6) our overall risk exposure and management, including cybersecurity and data privacy. Our Audit Committee also has the following duties to:

The Audit Committee has the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties and to retain counsel for this purpose where appropriate. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined by the applicable SEC regulations and NYSE corporate governance listing standards. The designation does not impose on them any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than those generally imposed on members of our Audit Committee and our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is available on our corporate website at http://www.cioreit.com.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee consists of Mark Murski, Sabah Mirza and John Sweet, and Mark Murski serves as the chair of the Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee is composed only of directors who are independent in compliance with applicable SEC and NYSE rules.

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The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain, and terminate, any compensation consultant to assist in the evaluation of employee compensation and to approve the consultant’s fees and the other terms and conditions of the consultant’s retention. The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include, among other matters:

In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee shall be entitled to delegate any or all of its responsibilities to a sub-committee of the Compensation Committee to the extent consistent with the Company’s charter, bylaws, and applicable law and rules of markets in which the Company’s securities then trade. Pursuant to the Compensation Committee charter, the Compensation Committee may not delegate its responsibility to evaluate non-executive officer performance and compensation or its responsibility to review and approve all officers’ employment agreements, executive retirement plans and severance agreements. Our Board of Directors adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, which is available on our corporate website at http://www.cioreit.com.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Sabah Mirza, Michael Mazan and John McLernon, and Sabah Mirza serves as the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed only of directors who are independent in compliance with NYSE rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s principal duties include identifying individuals qualified to become members of our Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the following factors when deciding who to nominate for the Board of Directors and to which committees, if any, such nominees should be nominated to join:

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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s other principal duties include the following:

In accordance with our Bylaws, any stockholder of record entitled to vote for the election of directors at the applicable meeting of stockholders may nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors if such stockholder complies with the notice procedures set forth in the Bylaws and summarized in “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations” elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. Nominees recommended by stockholders will be evaluated in the same manner as those recommended by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Board of Directors adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which is available on our corporate website at http://www.cioreit.com.

Investment Committee

Our Investment Committee consists of John McLernon, Mark Murski and John Sweet, and John McLernon serves as the chair of the Investment Committee. Our Investment Committee is composed only of directors who are independent in compliance with NYSE rules. The Investment Committee establishes guidelines for acquisitions and dispositions to be presented to the Board of Directors and leads the Board of Directors in its review of potential acquisitions and dispositions presented by management. The Investment Committee evaluates and approves acquisitions and dispositions with an individual purchase or sales price of less than $100 million and leads the Board of Directors in its review of acquisitions and dispositions with a purchase or sales price above $100 million. The Investment Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors and senior management regarding potential acquisitions and dispositions and reviews due diligence reports prepared by management conducted on all potential acquisitions. Our Board of Directors adopted a written charter for the Investment Committee, which is available on our corporate website at http://www.cioreit.com.

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Audit Committee Report

In connection with the preparation and filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

The Audit Committee has provided this report. This report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and the Exchange Act, except to the extent CIO specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

Michael Mazan, Chairman

John McLernon

Mark Murski

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Our Compensation Committee consists of Mark Murski, Sabah Mirza and John Sweet. No member of the Compensation Committee was at any time after the date of our formation, or currently is, an officer or employee of our Company, and no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with us requiring disclosure under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K. None of our executive officers serves, or in the past has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members of our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company that the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors be separated in order for the individuals to focus on their primary roles. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for

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the Company and the day-to-day leadership and performance of the Company, while the Chairman of the Board of Directors provides guidance to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, presides over meetings of the full Board of Directors and sets the agenda for Board of Directors meetings.

Role of our Board of Directors in Risk Oversight

One of the key functions of our Board of Directors is informed oversight of our risk management process. Our Board of Directors administers this oversight function directly, with support from the four standing committees, our Audit Committee, our Compensation Committee, our Investment Committee and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, each of which addresses risks specific to its respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management takes to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. Our Audit Committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, in addition to oversight of the performance of our internal audit function. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs have the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. Our Investment Committee oversees acquisitions, dispositions, developments and other investment opportunities for the Company and reviews and assesses guidelines for potential transactions in light of the Company’s strategic goals and objectives. In addition, the Investment Committee has the authority to approve potential transactions subject to the requirements set forth in the Investment Committee charter, as applicable. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee provides oversight with respect to corporate governance and ethical conduct and monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines, including whether such guidelines are successful in preventing illegal or improper liability-creating conduct. All committees report to the full Board of Directors as appropriate, including when a matter rises to the level of a material or enterprise level risk. In addition, the Board of Directors receives detailed regular reports from members of our senior management and other personnel that include assessments and potential mitigation of the risks and exposures involved with their respective areas of responsibility.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our Board of Directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that establishes the standards of ethical conduct applicable to all of our directors, officers, employees, consultants and contractors. The code of ethics addresses, among other things, competition and fair dealing, conflicts of interest, financial matters and external reporting, compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations, company funds and assets, confidentiality and corporate opportunity requirements and the process for reporting violations of the code of ethics, employee misconduct, conflicts of interest or other violations. Any waiver of our code of ethics with respect to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer and President, or persons performing similar functions may only be authorized by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and will be promptly disclosed as required by law and NYSE regulations and posted on our website. Amendments to the code of ethics must be approved by our Board of Directors and will be promptly disclosed and posted on our website (other than technical, administrative or non-substantive changes). Our code of ethics is publicly available on our website at http://www.cioreit.com and in print to any stockholder who requests a copy.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our Board of Directors adopted corporate governance guidelines that serve as a flexible framework within which our Board of Directors and its committees will operate. These guidelines cover a number of areas including the size and composition of our Board of Directors, Board of Directors membership criteria and director qualifications, director responsibilities, Board of Directors agenda, roles of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, meetings of independent directors, committee responsibilities and assignments, Board of Directors member access to management and independent advisors, director communications with third parties, director compensation, director orientation and continuing education,

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evaluation of senior management and management succession planning. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review our corporate governance guidelines at least once a year and, if necessary, recommend changes to our Board of Directors. Additionally, our Board of Directors adopted independence standards as part of our corporate governance guidelines. A copy of our corporate governance guidelines is posted on our website at http://www.cioreit.com.

Employee, Officer and Director Hedging

Effective March 9, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a policy prohibiting hedging of the Company’s securities, including our common stock, that applies to all officers and directors of the Company and their respective families, others living in his or her household and investment vehicles over which such officer or director exercises voting or investment control (each, a “Covered Person”). The policy prohibiting hedging prohibits the purchase or sale by any Covered Persons of puts, calls, options or other derivative securities, including financial instruments such as prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds, based on the Company’s securities. Failure to comply with the policy prohibiting hedging will be grounds for disciplinary action by the Company against the applicable officers or directors. A copy of our policy prohibiting hedging is posted on our website at http://www.cioreit.com.

Compensation Clawback Policy

Effective November 8, 2023, in compliance with Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Clawback Policy that requires the Company to recoup any cash bonus awarded and any equity-based awards granted to the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the EIP during a specified look-back period in the event that the Company is required to restate its financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under federal securities laws. This remedy would be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any actions imposed by law enforcement agencies, regulators or other authorities.

Board Diversity Policy

Under the Board Diversity Policy adopted by each of our Board of Directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into account a director candidate’s business experience, knowledge, skills, viewpoints and opinions on issues important to the Company’s performance, growth and sustainability, and similar qualifications. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will seek to assess and take into account each candidate’s personal characteristics, which may include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, race, age, religion, geographic location, nationality and other factors relevant to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also review and assess the overall composition of candidates identified to fill open director positions on the Board of Directors, including whether the pool of candidates includes a sufficient number of diverse candidates. Additionally, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, from time to time as appropriate, will review the composition of the then current Board of Directors to determine the diversity of the Board of Directors over time. A copy of the Company’s Board Diversity Policy is posted on the Company’s website at http://www.cioreit.com.

Human Rights Policy

Effective February 24, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a Human Rights Policy. The purpose of the policy is to outline our commitment with respect to the human rights of our directors, officers, employees, vendors and tenants. We are committed to operating in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Human Rights Policy outlines our commitment to a safe

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and healthy workplace, prohibition of forced labor and child labor, appropriate working conditions, freedom of association and right to water. The Company is committed to the continuous review of its practices, training and stakeholder communication to consider enhancements on human rights issues.

Sustainability Initiatives

The Board of Directors adopted a corporate sustainability report for 2023 (the “2023 ESG Report”). The 2023 ESG Report details the Company’s corporate sustainability mission, goals and commitments both historically and for the future. We employ a progressive mentality to consistently strive for sustainable, long-term results for our stakeholders and for the environment. Our mission is to create a positive and lasting impact through sustainable business practices across our portfolio. We believe our core business is to create a healthy and functional environment for our tenants. To deliver these results for our company and for our stockholders, we believe it is essential to focus on the well-being of our buildings, properties, tenants, communities and employees. A copy of the Company’s 2023 ESG Report is posted on the Company’s website at http://www.cioreit.com.

Environmental

We embrace environmental stewardship in our business practices and strive to integrate this core value into each aspect of our operations and management. We recognize the negative consequences of climate change and believe it is our responsibility to reduce our environmental footprint. We continue to focus on minimizing the energy, water, waste and emissions impacts of our properties. We believe transparency and accountability are another important part of environmental sustainability. For the environment and our tenants, we aim to take the following measures:

Social

We believe that corporate social responsibility goes hand-in-hand with business growth and maximizing returns for our investors. Our reputation for acting with integrity and transparency is essential to the successful execution of our business goals. We take pride in our work culture and strive to create an environment where people feel valued. Social responsibility also furthers our mission to be an upstanding corporate citizen within the real estate community. We invest in and engage with our local communities, making charitable giving and volunteerism an important part of our culture. To maintain this level of social responsibility, we aim to undertake the following measures:

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Governance

Corporate governance is a vital component of achieving our business objectives and effectively managing risk. Our experienced and majority-independent Board of Directors provides guidance and oversight with respect to, among others, corporate sustainability guidelines, operations, investments, financial reporting, strategic plans, key corporate policies and decisions and enterprise risk management. The Company promotes long-term value creation and accountability to our stakeholders. We are committed to the policies and procedures we have in place and continue to review corporate best practices on an ongoing basis. In an effort to continue serving the best interests of our stockholders, we aim to undertake the following measures:

Climate Risk Awareness

In 2022 we integrated a climate risk assessment platform to help analyze the physical climate risks of our portfolio. Through these analytics, we obtained physical risk factor data related to climate and weather events in each of the areas our properties are located. Through this assessment we identified climate risks, potential risk impacts and potential opportunities to mitigate climate impact. To the extent material, such risks are identified in our 2023 Annual Report.

Communications with the Board of Directors

Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors or any of its committees may do so by writing to the Chairman of the Board, Board of Directors of City Office REIT, Inc., c/o Secretary, 666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210, Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8. The Secretary will review all communications received. All communications that relate to matters that are within the scope of the responsibilities of the Board of Directors and its committees are to be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board. Communications that relate to matters that are within the scope of responsibility of one of the committees of our Board of Directors are also to be forwarded to the chairman of the appropriate committee. Solicitations, junk mail and obviously frivolous or inappropriate communications will not be forwarded but will be made available to any director who wishes to review them.

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PROPOSAL NO. 2. RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

On February 20, 2024, the Audit Committee appointed KPMG LLP to serve as CIO’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. KPMG LLP has served as our independent public accountants since our IPO in April 2014.

We are asking our stockholders to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. Although ratification is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise, the Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of KPMG LLP to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. In the event stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the appointment will be reconsidered by the Audit Committee. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company. A representative of KPMG LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP TO AUDIT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CIO FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024.

Audit Fees

The following table presents the aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for each service listed below for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Exchange Act rules generally require any engagement by a public company of an accountant to provide audit or non-audit services to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee of that public company. This pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provision of services other than audit, review or attest services if certain conditions set forth in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X are met. All of the audit and audit-related services described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee and, as a consequence, such services were not provided pursuant to a waiver of the pre-approval requirement set forth in this Rule. The Audit Committee charter provides guidelines for the pre-approval of independent auditor services. All of the audit and audit-related services described above were completed by full-time, permanent employees of KPMG LLP.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the number and percentage owned by each person who, to the knowledge of CIO as of February 22, 2024, is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. This information is reported in accordance with the beneficial ownership rules of the SEC under which a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to such security or has the right to acquire such ownership within 60 days. Shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to options, warrants, rights or conversion privileges are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person or group holding such options, warrants, rights or conversion privileges but are not deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated in footnotes to the table, each person listed has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities owned by such person.

The following tables set forth the number and percentage owned as of February 22, 2024 by each of our present directors, each of our present Named Executive Officers, as defined in “Executive Compensation” below, and all of our present executive officers (whether or not deemed to be Named Executive Officers) and directors as a group of our shares of our common stock. This information is reported in accordance with the beneficial ownership rules of the SEC under which a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to such security or has the right to acquire such ownership within 60 days. Shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to options, warrants, rights or conversion privileges are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person or group holding such options, warrants, rights or conversion privileges but are not deemed to be

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outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated in footnotes to the table, each person listed has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities owned by such person as of February 22, 2024.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors is currently comprised of three independent directors with the responsibility for establishing and administering the underlying policies and principles of our compensation program. We strive to provide a competitive total remuneration package to our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) through a combination of base salary, annual cash incentive compensation and long-term equity incentive compensation. Our focus is to establish a program that aligns the Company’s short- and long-term interests with those of our management. We strive to reward strong performance but designed our compensation program to have material consequences for NEOs if objectives established by the Compensation Committee are not satisfactorily met.

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis section describes our executive compensation program for 2023. It also describes how and why the Compensation Committee made its decisions regarding 2023 compensation. Set forth below is information concerning our NEOs and their respective titles as of December 31, 2023:

Information regarding the background of our non-director NEOs is set forth below.

Gregory Tylee

Mr. Tylee, age 52, has been our chief operating officer and president since our IPO in April 2014. He joined Second City Real Estate in May 2010 and has been primarily responsible for sourcing, underwriting and acquiring properties throughout the United States. He has been involved in real estate transactions with a combined enterprise value of over $4.0 billion over the course of his career. He has deep relationships with real estate operators, lenders and brokers. From May 2008 to October 2012, Mr. Tylee held both the Vice President of Acquisitions and President roles for Bosa Properties Inc., a prominent real estate development company based in Vancouver, Canada, with over 400 employees. As President, Mr. Tylee was involved in all aspects of Bosa’s decision-making with a primary responsibility for growing the business through new acquisitions. Mr. Tylee received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brock University and is a chartered accountant. Mr. Tylee brings accounting and finance skills as well as over 20 years of diverse real estate experience that includes acquisitions of various types of income-producing property and high-rise development.

Anthony Maretic

Mr. Maretic, age 52, has been our chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer since our IPO in April 2014. Prior to joining affiliates of Second City Real Estate in May of 2013, Mr. Maretic served as the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Earls Restaurants Ltd., one of North America’s premier privately held restaurant companies from 2006 to 2013. Mr. Maretic’s experience in the real estate industry includes his role as the chief financial officer for a portfolio of U.S.-based senior living facilities, where he served from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Maretic has also held several financial management positions with the predecessor of BentallGreenOak, one of North America’s premier institutional real estate advisory companies. Mr. Maretic is a chartered professional accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration from the University of British Columbia.

The business address of all of our directors and NEOs is 666 Burrard Street, Suite 3210, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2X8.

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Executive Summary

Overview of 2023 Business Performance

The Company is focused on owning and operating high-quality office properties located predominantly in Sun Belt markets with strong economic fundamentals. During 2023, the Company believes it executed well on its operational objectives and per share results. The Company navigated challenging macroeconomic and office market conditions in 2023 in order to position itself for achievement of its long-term goals. A key focus in 2023 was driving leasing results through execution on the Company’s spec suite and property enhancement programs. Given the challenging financing markets, the Company’s key objectives of 2023 also included driving optimal outcomes at properties with maturing loans, continuing to enhance overall liquidity and generating cash flow in excess of the Company’s common stock dividend payments. Throughout 2023, the Company also sought to progress creative ideas to unlock or preserve value at the Company’s properties, including through redevelopment planning at certain properties. The Company believes its active steps to enhance the position of the portfolio will benefit shareholders in the long term.

Summary of Key 2023 Accomplishments

During 2023, the Company achieved substantial results that contributed to the overall strong operating performance of the Company, including, but not limited to:

2023 Total Stockholder Return

The total return for our common stock in 2023 was negative 19.5%. In comparison, the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Office Index generated a negative 0.6% total return. Share prices of office real estate companies were generally challenged in 2023, and the Company’s total return for its common stock in 2023 was less than the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Office Index. As of December 31, 2023, the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Office Index was comprised of 20 publicly traded U.S. office REITs. The Compensation Committee believes that the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Office Index provides an appropriate group of peer REITs with a focus similar to the Company’s and represents an appropriate basis for comparison of our total stockholder return. The Compensation Committee evaluates the Company’s performance relative to various peer indices each year and may determine,

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in its sole discretion, to substitute certain peer indices in any given year in order to ensure fair measurement of the Company against its peers.

Long-Term Stockholder Return

As of December 31, 2023, our five-year total return was negative 14.6%, which has been during the tenure of the NEOs. In comparison, the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Office Index generated a negative 13.8% total return during such period. The Company’s five-year total return was in the top half of companies in the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Office Index.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Executive Compensation Principles

We have established our compensation program to achieve various short and long-term objectives. Our overriding philosophy is to establish lower than average base salaries but provide our NEOs the ability to earn higher than average total remuneration through demonstrated performance, thereby better aligning their interests with those of our stockholders.

Our compensation program includes (i) a base salary component, (ii) an annual cash incentive compensation potential, and (iii) a long-term equity incentive potential. The Compensation Committee judges performance based on detailed criteria (the “Performance Objectives”) that are established at the beginning of the year and are discussed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement under the heading “—2023 Performance Objectives.”

The compensation program for our executives is designed to achieve the following core objectives:

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Compensation Best Practices

The Compensation Committee and management periodically review the compensation and benefit programs for executives and other employees to align them with the core objectives discussed above. Additionally, we compare both compensation and Company performance against peer companies when evaluating the appropriateness of our compensation. We have implemented a number of measures in an effort to align the interests of the Company’s NEOs with those of our stockholders, while also driving performance and achievement of long-term goals. Below we highlight our compensation and governance practices that support these principles.

What we do:

What we don’t do:

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Compensation Review Process

Role of the Compensation Committee and Management

The Compensation Committee evaluates Company and individual performance when making compensation recommendations to the Company’s Board of Directors with respect to our NEOs. In making decisions regarding NEO remuneration, the Compensation Committee may consider recommendations from our CEO with respect to the performance and contributions of each of the other two NEOs but the Compensation Committee ultimately acts in its sole and absolute discretion.

Market Data and Peer Sets

A key consideration in determining levels of base and incentive compensation is the pay practices and performance of our peers.

For purposes of evaluating our performance relative to comparable companies, we focus on the performance of publicly traded office REITs. We believe this is appropriate because we most closely compete with other publicly traded office REITs for human capital, investments, etc. and broad market dynamics are likely to impact publicly traded office REITs in similar ways.

For purposes of evaluating the pay practices of our peers, we focus on both publicly traded office REITs and publicly traded REITs of a similar size to us. In determining pay practices, we believe it is important to evaluate REITs of a similar size, as we are one of the smaller REITs in the publicly traded office REIT peer group.

As part of our annual analysis, we utilize data provided by our association with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“NAREIT”). Each year, NAREIT sponsors a detailed compensation survey conducted by independent consultant Ferguson Partners. In 2023, 123 companies participated in the survey, representing approximately 83% of the equity market capitalization of U.S listed equity REITs. The data is segmented into an analysis of base salary, total cash compensation and total remuneration. Data is further segmented based on the 25^th percentile, median, average and 75^th percentile by role, market segment and other factors. The Compensation Committee evaluates the range of data within both the publicly traded office REIT sector, as well as REITs that have a total enterprise value of less than $1.5 billion. When analyzing this data cohort, the Compensation Committee considers the fact that the Company is one of the smaller entities within the publicly traded office REIT sector.

2023 Performance Objectives

On November 3, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an updated five-year strategic plan and an operating budget for 2023. The Board of Directors believes that the successful execution of the five-year strategic plan and operating budget will position the Company for strong stockholder returns over the long term. The targets from the strategic plan and operating budget were used to develop specific operating and financial performance targets in order to measure progress. Subsequently, the Compensation Committee approved the creation of the Performance Objectives and relative weightings, which it believed would appropriately measure progress towards the achievement of both the strategic plan and the operating budget, and the concepts are summarized below:

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We use FFO, which NAREIT states should represent net income or loss (computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) plus real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) and after adjustments of unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures, gains or losses on the sale of property and impairments to real estate, as a supplemental performance measure, because we believe that FFO is beneficial as a starting point in measuring the Company’s operational performance. We also believe that, as a widely recognized measure of the performance of REITs, FFO can be used as a basis to compare the Company’s operating performance to that of other REITs.

We also believe Core FFO, calculated using FFO as defined by NAREIT and adjusting for certain other non-core items, such as deducting acquisition costs, loss on early extinguishment of debt, changes in the fair value of earn-outs, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration and the amortization of stock-based compensation, provides a useful metric in comparing operations between reporting periods and in assessing the sustainability of the Company’s ongoing operating performance.

We define NOI as total rental and other revenues less property operating expenses. We consider NOI to be an appropriate supplemental performance measure to net income because we believe it provides information useful in understanding the core operations and operating performance of the Company’s portfolio. We believe that Same Store Cash NOI, calculated as the NOI attributable to the properties continuously owned and operated for the entirety of the reporting periods presented (excluding properties that were not stabilized during both of the applicable reporting periods), is an important measure of comparison, because it allows for comparison of operating results of stabilized properties owned and operated for the entirety of both applicable periods and therefore eliminates variations caused by acquisitions, dispositions or re-positionings during such periods.

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The Compensation Committee established the following relative weightings for these Performance Objectives in 2023:

Each Performance Objective is measured between 0-200% of the target weighting, with 100% established as target performance. The Compensation Committee believes that the 2023 Performance Objectives were established with the goal of promoting both short- and long-term stockholder value. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that maintaining an ability to reward specific accomplishments outside of the Performance Objective criteria that generate incremental stockholder value is an important alignment tool. The Compensation Committee retains the ability to make adjustments in determining performance to reward special achievements or to account for negative factors.

2023 Performance Evaluation

The Compensation Committee evaluated the Company’s actual performance against the 2023 Performance Objectives and formulated a recommendation to the Company’s Board of Directors. Key factors driving the Compensation Committee’s conclusions included, among other factors:

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Structure and Components of the Executive Compensation Program

The compensation program for NEOs generally consists of base salary, annual cash incentive compensation potential and long-term equity incentive compensation potential. Each year the Compensation Committee establishes a set of Performance Objectives (discussed further above) and weightings for each Performance Objective, which is used in evaluating performance and determining total remuneration of our NEOs.

Base Salary

Base salaries for NEOs are determined by position, which takes into consideration the scope of job responsibilities, the employee’s level of experience and expertise and competitive market compensation paid by other public office REITs for similar positions. Base salaries for NEOs are generally fixed by the Compensation Committee for a two-year period and reviewed for adjustment every other year and set to a level that the Compensation Committee believes is necessary and appropriate to attract and retain high-quality professionals. However, the Compensation Committee reviews base salaries paid by our peer groups on an annual basis to determine if adjustments should be made more frequently. Under guidelines established by our Compensation Committee, the target for base salaries for our NEOs is intended to be generally below the comparable peer groups’ average while providing the ability to achieve above average total remuneration based on strong performance.

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On February 1, 2018, we, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into Employment Agreements (collectively, the “Original Employment Agreements”) with each of our NEOs. On July 31, 2019, we, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into amendments to the Original Employment Agreements (collectively with the Original Employment Agreements, the “Employment Agreements”) with each of our NEOs. On August 4, 2021, we, through a wholly-owned subsidiary entered into second amendments to the Employment Agreements with each of our NEOs. See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.”

Base salaries for the NEOs were adjusted on January 1, 2023 and last adjusted prior to that on January 1, 2020. For 2023 and 2022, the Base Salary compensation for our NEOs was as follows:

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

Our NEOs have the opportunity to earn an annual cash incentive compensation designed to reward annual corporate performance. In determining the actual annual cash incentive compensation paid to an NEO, the Compensation Committee provides a score for each Performance Objective. However, the percentage amount an NEO may earn under this program can generally range from 0-200% of base salary as determined by the Compensation Committee’s measurement of achievement under the Performance Objectives, subject to special circumstance reward or punitive adjustments that may be approved by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.

The Compensation Committee considered the Company’s actual performance for 2023 against the 2023 Performance Objectives as well as the other factors described above. Based on those considerations, the Compensation Committee made the following annual cash incentive compensation recommendations for 2023 performance, which were subsequently approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and paid to the NEOs.

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

Our NEOs are eligible to receive long-term equity incentive compensation under the Company’s EIP that promotes our long-term success by aligning the NEOs’ interests with the interests of our stockholders. The EIP enables the Company to provide the NEOs with an ownership interest in our company through restricted stock units and performance restricted stock units. Such compensation is typically granted during the first quarter of each year relating to the prior year’s performance.

The Compensation Committee may, from time to time pursuant to the EIP, grant our NEOs certain equity-based awards. These awards are designed to align the interests of our NEOs with those of our stockholders by allowing our NEOs to share in the creation of value for our stockholders through capital appreciation and dividends. These equity awards are generally subject to vesting requirements, and are designed to promote the retention of management and to achieve strong performance for our company. Our NEOs and independent directors are subject to the Stock Ownership Policy and our NEOs are subject to an additional requirement to hold an amount of our common stock having an aggregate value of at least a certain multiple of the NEO’s annual base salary. For more information on the Stock Ownership Policy, see the discussion elsewhere in this Proxy Statement under the heading “—Stock Ownership Policy.”

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REIT regulations require us to pay at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to stockholders as dividends. As a result, we believe that our common stockholders are interested in receiving attractive risk-adjusted dividends and the growth of our market capitalization. Accordingly, we want to provide incentives to our NEOs that reward success in achieving these goals. We believe that equity-based awards serve to align the interests of our NEOs with the interests of our stockholders since the value our NEOs receive from these awards is largely dependent on the value of our common stock, the potential for appreciation of that value and our capability to pay dividends. We believe that this alignment of interests provides an incentive to our NEOs to implement strategies that will enhance our overall performance.

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Objectives

The issuance of restricted stock units and performance restricted stock units are an important motivational and retention tool that serves to drive performance and deter our NEOs from seeking other employment opportunities. We also believe that it creates a good long-term alignment between our NEOs and stockholders. We utilize both time-based restricted stock units that generally vest ratably on an annual basis over a three-year term, as well as performance restricted stock units that generally cliff vest after three years with payouts ranging from 50% to 150%, depending on relative total shareholder return versus the individual company constituents in a peer group set, subject to the Compensation Committee’s discretion and as described further below. If an NEO leaves the employment of the Company, unvested restricted stock units and unvested performance restricted stock units are immediately forfeited, except in limited circumstances. Dividends received on the restricted stock units are accrued at the same rate and on the same date as our common stock and remain subject to forfeiture, and dividends on the performance restricted stock units are only accrued at the end of the applicable term based on the actual award vesting amount.

The Compensation Committee designed the long-term incentive awards to ensure that our NEOs have a continuing stake in our long-term success, that the total compensation realized by our NEOs reflects our multi-year performance as measured by the efficient use of capital and changes in stockholder value, and that a large portion of their total compensation opportunity is earned over a multi-year period and could be forfeitable in the event of termination of their service to us or our affiliates. This intent is reinforced through our Stock Ownership Policy and our Clawback Policy.

Our overall approach for setting the level of long-term equity incentive compensation is to create and sustain long-term stockholder value while rewarding employee performance. Under the guidelines established by our Compensation Committee, the base salaries our NEO’s receive are intended to be below-market, with the ability to achieve total renumeration at the higher end of the market range, through bonuses and long-term incentive compensation based on performance. When considering market remuneration, our Compensation Committee evaluates remuneration levels of our publicly traded REIT peer set and considers our relative size and performance versus the comparison peer groups. As we intentionally set base salaries generally below the average of our peer groups, the long-term equity incentive compensation component is intended to comprise a material portion of total remuneration if strong performance is achieved by the NEOs.

For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, the Compensation Committee elected to alter the composition of long-term equity incentive compensation to NEOs to be comprised of 40% time-based restricted stock units and 60% performance restricted stock units, which the Company believes enhances the alignment of NEO compensation with the interests of our stockholders.

Grants of Time Vesting Restricted Stock Units to our NEOs in 2023

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, pursuant to the applicable restricted stock unit award agreements and our EIP, we issued 49,974 restricted stock units to Mr. Farrar, 49,974 restricted stock units to Mr. Tylee and 20,822 restricted stock units to Mr. Maretic. These restricted stock unit award agreements were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, as recommended by the Compensation Committee, pursuant to

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the EIP. The awards were made pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements between the Company and each of the award recipients, subject to vesting over a three-year period. These restricted stock units vest in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date and shall vest in full upon the termination of employment without Cause (as defined in the form of award agreement). If earned, these restricted stock units will be settled in the form of shares of our common stock, pursuant to the EIP, or if approved by the Compensation Committee, in cash of equivalent value. Restricted stock units do not entitle the recipient to the rights of a holder of common stock until shares are issued upon settlement of the vested units. The restricted stock unit award agreements generally also grant the right to receive dividends pursuant to the dividend equivalency rights, which will be reinvested in shares of our common stock and delivered to the recipient upon, and subject to, satisfaction of the vesting criteria applicable to the related restricted stock units. In connection with the payment of dividends declared of $0.20 per share on December 15, 2022, $0.20 on March 14, 2023, $0.10 per share on May 5, 2023 and $0.10 per share on September 15, 2023, Mr. Farrar was granted an aggregate 12,820 restricted stock units, Mr. Tylee was granted an aggregate 12,820 restricted stock units and Mr. Maretic was granted an aggregate 4,608 restricted stock units. These additional restricted stock units vest in accordance with the same vesting schedule, and upon the same conditions, as the underlying restricted stock units as to which the dividend equivalent rights were granted (generally vesting on the first three anniversaries of the original grant date). Future awards will be at the discretion of our Compensation Committee.

The Time Vesting Restricted Stock Unit component of the long-term equity incentive compensation that was issued in January 2023 for each of the NEOs for calendar year 2022 performance is listed below.

Grants of Performance Restricted Stock Units to our NEOs in 2023

On January 24, 2023, each of the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee approved performance-based restricted unit award agreements (each, a “Performance RSU Award Agreement”) used to grant performance-based restricted stock unit awards (“Performance RSU Awards”) pursuant to the EIP. The Performance RSU Awards are based upon the total stockholder return (“TSR”) of our common stock over a three-year measurement period (the “Performance RSU Measurement Period”) beginning January 1, 2023 and ending on December 31, 2025 relative to the TSR of the companies in the office REIT peer group as of December 31, 2023 (the “2023 RSU Peer Group”). The payouts under the Performance RSU Awards are evaluated on a sliding scale as follows: TSR below the 30^th percentile of the 2023 RSU Peer Group would result in a 50% payout; TSR at the 50^th percentile of the 2023 RSU Peer Group would result in a 100% payout; and TSR at or above the 75^th percentile of the 2023 RSU Peer Group would result in a 150% payout. Payouts are mathematically interpolated between these stated percentile targets, subject to a 150% maximum.

Subject to the terms of any applicable employment agreement, payouts of the Performance RSU Awards will vest, if at all, upon the completion of the Performance RSU Measurement Period, provided that the awardee remains continuously employed with the Company through the end of the applicable Performance RSU Measurement Period, except in certain cases of Changes of Control or a Covered Termination (each, as defined in each Performance RSU Award Agreement). Unless otherwise set forth in an awardee’s employment agreement, if applicable, upon the occurrence of a Covered Termination the awardee will continue to hold the Performance RSU Award through the last day of the applicable Performance RSU Measurement Period, and the Performance RSU Award will vest as of such last day, if at all, based upon the above TSR sliding scale. To the

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extent earned, the payouts of the Performance RSU Awards will be settled in the form of shares of our common stock, pursuant to the EIP, or if approved by the Compensation Committee, in cash of equivalent value. Performance RSU Awards do not entitle the recipient to the rights of a holder of our common stock until shares are issued in settlement of the vested Performance RSU Awards. The Compensation Committee retains the discretion to remove or make adjustments to vesting conditions under the Performance RSU Awards.

Upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions, dividend equivalents in an amount equal to all regular and special dividends declared with respect to our common stock during each annual measurement period during the applicable Performance RSU Measurement Period are determined and paid on a cumulative, reinvested basis over the term of the applicable Performance RSU Award, at the time such award vests and based on the number of shares of our common stock that are earned. For example, if at the time of vesting, the TSR of our common stock is at the 50^th percentile of the 2023 RSU Peer Group, the payout of 100% of the Performance RSU Award would include dividend equivalents on all of the shares of our common stock paid out on a reinvested basis over the applicable Performance RSU Measurement Period.

The following Performance RSU Awards were issued to our NEOs in 2023:

Payout of Performance Restricted Stock Units to our NEOs in 2023

The Performance RSU Awards granted in January 2021 to our NEOs with a January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023 Performance RSU Measurement Period were earned at 120% of the target number of shares granted based on achievement of a total shareholder return of negative 22.8% during the Performance RSU Measurement Period which was at the 60^th percentile of the 2021 RSU Peer Group.

Grants of Equity Compensation to our NEOs Year-to-Date in 2024

As detailed above, our long-term equity incentive compensation is typically granted during the first quarter of each year relating to the prior year’s performance. After consideration of the Company’s actual performance against the 2023 Performance Objectives, the total remuneration of the NEOs versus the Company’s peer sets

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and overall performance, the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors approved and issued the following restricted stock units and Performance RSU Awards to our NEOs, which will be reflected in the 2024 total compensation table:

The Performance RSU Awards granted to our NEOs on January 24, 2024 are subject to vesting after the Performance RSU Measurement Period beginning January 1, 2024 and ending on December 31, 2026.

The Effect of Regulatory Requirements on Our Executive Compensation

Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Sections 280G and 4999. IRC Section 280G limits our ability to take a tax deduction for certain “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Section 280G) and IRC Section 4999 imposes excise taxes on each executive that receives “excess parachute payments” paid by CIO in connection with a change in control. The Compensation Committee does not anticipate that the Company would be required to pay non-deductible compensation upon any change in control of the Company.

Accounting Rules. Various rules under generally accepted accounting principles determine the manner in which CIO accounts for grants of equity-based compensation to our employees in our financial statements. The Compensation Committee takes into consideration the accounting treatment of alternative grant proposals under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, “Stock Compensation” (formerly, FASB Statement 123R), or FASB ASC Topic 718, when determining the form and timing of equity compensation grants to employees, including our NEOs. The accounting treatment of such grants, however, is not determinative of the type, timing, or amount of any particular grant of equity-based compensation to our employees.

Potential Impact on Compensation from Financial Restatements. Effective November 8, 2023, in compliance with Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Clawback Policy that requires the Company to recoup any cash bonus awarded and any equity-based awards granted to the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the EIP during a specified look-back period in the event that the Company is required to restate its financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under federal securities laws. This remedy would be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any actions imposed by law enforcement agencies, regulators or other authorities.

Stock Ownership Policy

On March 9, 2017, we adopted the Stock Ownership Policy for our NEOs and independent directors. This policy requires that each of our independent directors achieve ownership of our common stock having an aggregate value of at least three times his or her total annual base compensation in effect as of the date he or she first became an independent director prior to the fifth anniversary of the earlier of (a) February 1, 2016 or (b) the date he or she was first elected or appointed an independent director. In addition, we adopted a policy requiring each of our NEOs to achieve ownership of our common stock having an aggregate value of a certain multiple of the executive’s annual base salary. Such multiples are as follows:

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Say-on-Pay Vote Results

At the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting, over 85% of the votes cast supported the Company’s approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation for the NEOs for 2022, or the “say-on-pay” vote. Given this strong support, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee did not implement any significant changes to the Company’s compensation programs in 2023. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of future say-on-pay votes, as well as stockholder feedback received throughout the year, in determining the appropriate compensation techniques and levels to be utilized by the Company.

Say-on-Frequency Vote Results

At our 2020 Annual Meeting, we asked our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation every “one year,” or the “say-on-frequency” vote. Our stockholders approved holding an advisory vote on executive compensation every “one year,” with approximately 85% of the votes cast voting in favor of an advisory vote on executive compensation every “one year.” After considering the nonbinding results for the vote on frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation, the Board of Directors determined to hold nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation every “one year” until the Company is next required, or the Board of Directors deems it appropriate, to submit to the Company’s stockholders a proposal to approve, by a nonbinding advisory vote, the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation. Through our ongoing engagement with stockholders, the Board of Directors will continue to consider any stockholder concerns and feedback in the future.

Role of Management and Compensation Consultants

During 2023, the Compensation Committee did not retain an independent compensation consultant, though the Compensation Committee has the authority to retain, and terminate, any compensation consultant to assist in the evaluation of employee compensation and to approve the consultant’s fees and the other terms and conditions of the consultant’s retention.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things, discharging the Board of Directors’ responsibilities relating to compensation of the Company’s executives, including recommending to the Board of Directors for approval and evaluating the compensation plans, policies and programs of the Company. The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis herein and discussed it with management. Based on the review and the discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement for filing with the SEC.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

Mark Murski, Chairman

Sabah Mirza

John Sweet

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Summary Compensation Table

The table below summarizes the total compensation paid or awarded to each of our NEOs for the fiscal years indicated.

Grant of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the grants of plan-based awards to our NEOs under the EIP during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2023

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the outstanding equity awards to our NEOs at December 31, 2023.

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table sets forth certain information regarding option award exercising and stock vesting during 2023.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Termination Without Cause, Resignation With Good Reason

Pursuant to each NEO’s employment agreement with us, if the NEO’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the NEO upon a resignation with good reason, subject to the execution by the NEO of a release and waiver of claims, the NEO shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay or provide the NEO:

The following table sets forth the total cost that the Company would have incurred and the payments the NEOs would have received if the NEO’s employment was terminated by the Company without cause or by the NEO upon a resignation with good reason as of December 31, 2023, assuming the NEO’s employment agreements were in place as of such date:

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Termination for Cause, Voluntary Termination by the NEO without Good Reason

Pursuant to such NEO’s employment agreement with us, if the NEO’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause, the NEO shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay or provide the NEO, any annual base salary, annual cash bonus or other benefit accrued through, but unpaid as of, the date of termination, but the NEO shall not be entitled to receive any other compensation or benefits on and after the date of termination.

If the NEO resigns or otherwise voluntarily terminates his employment (other than for good reason), the NEO shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay or provide the NEO, any annual base salary, annual cash bonus or other benefit accrued through, but unpaid as of, the date of termination but shall not be entitled to receive any other compensation or benefits on or after the date of termination, other than as expressly set forth in the employment agreement.

The following table sets forth the total cost that the Company would have incurred and the payments the NEOs would have received if the NEO’s employment was terminated by the Company for cause, or if the NEO resigned or was unable to perform his employment obligations as a result of a disability which cannot be reasonably accommodated or otherwise voluntarily terminates his employment (other than for good reason), as of December 31, 2023, assuming the NEOs’ employment agreements were in place as of such date:

Death or Disability

Pursuant to each NEO’s employment agreement with us, if the NEO dies before the NEO’s employment is terminated by the Company, the NEO’s survivors or estate, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay or provide the NEO’s survivors or estate, as applicable, subject to the execution by the survivors or estate, as applicable, of a release and waiver of claims, or if the NEO resigns or is unable to perform his employment obligations as a result of a disability which cannot be reasonably accommodated or otherwise voluntarily terminates his employment (other than for good reason), any annual base salary, annual cash bonus or other benefit accrued through, but unpaid as of, the date of termination, and all outstanding awards granted to the NEO under the EIP shall become fully vested. If the NEO becomes unable to perform his employment obligations as a result of a disability which cannot be reasonably accommodated in accordance with obligations under the British Columbia Human Rights Code, the NEO shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay any annual base salary, annual cash bonus or other benefit accrued through, but unpaid as of, the date of the disability, and all outstanding awards granted to the NEO under the EIP shall become fully vested, subject to the execution by the NEO or the administrator of the NEO’s estate of a release and waiver of claims in a form

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reasonably prescribed by the Company, outstanding options, restricted stock units and other awards granted under the EIP shall continue to vest as though the NEO remained actively employed with the Company throughout such disability, provided, however, that if the NEO becomes employed as an officer with another employer engaged in the business, then (A) all continued vesting shall cease as of the date the NEO becomes employed with such employer (such date being determined in the sole discretion of the Company without any duty of inquiry imposed upon the Company), and (B) to the extent the NEO received a benefit in contradiction of the foregoing clause (A), then the Company has the unilateral right to effectuate a clawback (and offset of other compensation or property otherwise owned by the NEO or owed by the Company to the NEO) of such ill-gotten benefit.

The following table sets forth the total cost that the Company would have incurred and the payments the NEOs would have received if the NEO had died or had become disabled as of December 31, 2023, assuming the NEO’s employment agreements were in place as of such date:

Change in Control

Pursuant to each NEO’s employment agreement with us, in the event of a change in control of the Company, all outstanding awards granted to the NEO under the EIP fully vest immediately upon the change in control. In addition, if the NEO resigns for good reason within twelve months of a change in control, subject to the execution by the NEO of a release and waiver of claims, the NEO shall be entitled to receive:

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The following table sets forth the total cost that the Company would have incurred and the payments the NEOs would have received if a change in control had occurred as of December 31, 2023, assuming the NEOs’ employment agreements were in place as of such date:

Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio

As required by SEC rules, we are providing the following information about the relationship between the median annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of James Farrar, our CEO. The pay ratio included in this information is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules.

For 2023, our last completed fiscal year:

Based on this information, for 2023 the ratio of the annual total compensation of the CEO to the median annual total compensation of all employees, as determined pursuant to SEC rules, was approximately 11 to 1. Our pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll and employment records. To determine the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of our median employee and the CEO, we took the steps listed below:

In accordance with SEC rules, with respect to the annual total compensation of the CEO, we used the amount reported in the “Total” column of our 2023 Summary Compensation Table included elsewhere in this

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Proxy Statement. Because the SEC rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

We have approved and implemented a compensation program for our non-employee directors that consists of annual retainer fees and long-term equity awards. As compensation for serving on our Board of Directors, each director receives an annual base fee for his or her services of $50,000. The Chairman of the Board of Directors receives an additional annual cash retainer of $20,000, the chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual cash retainer of $15,000, and the chairs of the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Investment Committee receive an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000.

We also reimburse our non-employee directors for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as directors, including, without limitation, travel expenses in connection with their attendance in person at Board of Directors and committee meetings.

On January 24, 2023, the Compensation Committee granted our directors restricted stock units. The restricted stock units vest ratably over three years and carry the right to receive dividends (through a related grant of dividend equivalent rights), which will be reinvested in shares of our common stock and delivered to the applicable director upon, and subject to, satisfaction of the vesting criteria applicable to the related restricted stock units. Pursuant to this program, each of Mr. McLernon, Mr. Flatt, Mr. Murski, Ms. Mirza and Mr. Sweet were granted 6,247 restricted stock units.