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Significant accounting policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

May 31, 2021

Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash and highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible into known amounts of cash with original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents include amounts held in United States dollar, Canadian dollar, Euro, Australian dollar, Great Britain pound, Colombian peso, Argentine peso, and corporate bonds, commercial paper, treasury bills and money market funds.

Accounts receivable

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses at an amount sufficient to absorb losses inherent in its accounts receivable portfolio as of the reporting dates based on the projection of expected credit losses. The Company applies the aging method to estimate the allowance for expected credit losses. The aging method is applied to accounts receivables at the business unit level to reflect shared risk characteristics, such as receivable type, customer type and geographical location. The aging method assigns accounts receivables to a level of delinquency and applies loss rates to each class based on historical loss experience. The Company also considers relevant qualitative and quantitative factors to assess whether historical loss experience should be adjusted to better reflect the risk characteristics of the current classes and the expected future loss. This assessment incorporates all available information relevant to considering the collectability of its current classes, including considering economic and business conditions, default trends, changes in its class composition, among other internal and external factors. The expected credit loss estimates are adjusted for current conditions and reasonable supportable forecasts.

As part of the Company’s analysis of expected credit losses, it may analyze contracts on an individual basis in situations where such accounts receivables exhibit unique risk characteristics and are not expected to experience similar losses to the rest of their class.

Inventory

Inventory consists of our cannabis, wellness, beverage, and distribution inventory, as follows:

Cannabis inventory consists of our plants, dried cannabis, cannabis trim, cannabis derivatives such as oils, and vape products. Cannabis inventory costs include pre-harvest, post-harvest, shipment and fulfillment, as well as costs related to accessories. Pre-harvest costs include labor and direct materials to grow cannabis, which includes water, electricity, nutrients, integrated pest management, growing supplies and allocated overhead. Post-harvest costs include costs associated with drying, trimming, blending, extracting, purifying, quality testing and allocated overhead. Shipment and fulfillment costs include the costs of packaging, labelling, courier services, and allocated overhead.

Wellness inventory cost includes hemp seeds, packaging and co-packing. Seed costs include commodity cost paid to farmers, genetic seed cost to provide and manage contracted farmers, hulling and processing costs, including labor and overhead. Packaging costs include packaging materials, labor and overhead to run machinery. Co-packing cost are generally for products not manufactured by the Company directly and would include all costs to produce the products.

Beverage inventory cost includes materials we incur to make and ship beer beverages. These costs include brewing materials, such as barley, hops and various grains. Packaging materials such as glass bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard and paperboard are also included in the cost of our beverage inventory. Additionally, our cost of goods sold include both direct and indirect labor, shipping and handling including freight costs, utilities, maintenance costs, warehousing costs, purchasing and receiving costs, amortization, promotional packaging, and other manufacturing overheads

Distribution inventory includes costs related to procurement of pharmaceutical products for re-sale in entities’ respective markets.

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, determined using weighted average cost. All direct and indirect costs related to inventory are capitalized as they are incurred, and they are subsequently recorded in cost of goods sold on the statements of loss and comprehensive loss at the time inventory is sold. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. At the end of each reporting period, the Company performs an assessment of inventory and records write-downs for excess and obsolete inventories based on the Company’s estimated forecast of product demand, production requirements, market conditions, regulatory environment, and spoilage. Actual inventory losses may differ from management’s estimates and such differences could be material to the Company’s statements of financial position, statements of loss and comprehensive loss and statements of cash flows.

Capital assets

Capital assets are recorded at cost, net of accumulated amortization and impairment, if any. Amortization for the properties included in our capital assets is calculated using the following terms and methods:

Asset type	Depreciation method	Depreciation term (estimated useful life)
Land	Not depreciated	No term
Production facility	Straight-line	20 – 30 years
Equipment	Straight-line	3 – 25 years
Leasehold improvements	Straight-line	Lesser of estimated useful life or lease term
Construction in progress	Not depreciated	No term
Finance lease right-of-use assets	Straight-line	Lesser of the lease term and the useful life of the leased asset

The estimated residual values and useful lives are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis.

When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated amortization are removed from the respective accounts and any related gain or loss is recognized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expenses as incurred. Significant expenditures, which extend the useful lives of assets or increase productivity, are capitalized. When significant parts of one of our capital assets have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items or components of capital assets.

Construction in progress includes construction progress payments, deposits, engineering costs and other costs directly related to the construction of the facilities. Expenditures are capitalized during the construction period and construction in progress is transferred to the relevant class of capital assets when the assets are available for use, at which point in time the amortization of the asset commences.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets include intangible assets acquired as part of business combinations, asset acquisitions and other business transactions. The Company records intangible assets at cost, net of accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses, if any. Cost is measured based on the fair values of cash consideration paid and equity interests issued. The cost of an intangible asset acquired is its acquisition date fair value.

Amortization of definite life intangible assets is calculated on a straight -line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the following terms:

Asset type	Amortization term
Customer relationships and distribution channel	14 – 16 years
Licences, permits & applications	90 months – indefinite
Brands, intellectual property and trademarks	15 months – 25 years
Non-compete agreements	Over term of non-compete
Know how	5 years

When there is no foreseeable limit on the period of time over which an intangible asset is expected to contribute to the cash flows of the Company, an intangible asset is determined to have an indefinite-lived. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but tested for impairment annually or more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. If the carrying value of an individual indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, such individual indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired by the amount of the excess.

The estimated useful lives are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including capital assets and definite life intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. In order to determine if assets have been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable independent cash flows are available (“asset group”). An impairment loss is recognized when the sum of projected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset group. The measurement of the impairment loss to be recognized is based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset group. Fair value may be determined using a market approach or income approach. The reversal of impairment losses is prohibited.

Business combinations and goodwill

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, ASC 805, Business Combinations which requires recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent assets and liabilities, at their respective fair values on the date of acquisition.

Contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair value and included as part of the consideration transferred in a business combination. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Contingent consideration that is classified as an asset or liability is remeasured at subsequent reporting dates, with the corresponding gain or loss recognized in profit or loss.

Non-controlling interests in the acquiree are measured at fair value on acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs are recognized as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received (except for the costs to issue debt or equity securities which are recognized according to specific requirements).

Purchase price allocations may be preliminary and, during the measurement period not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, changes in assumptions and estimates that result in adjustments to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded in the period the adjustments are determined.

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred for the acquisition of subsidiaries over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets

Goodwill is allocated to the reporting unit in which the business that created the goodwill resides. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or a business unit one level below that operating segment, for which discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. We operate in five operating segments which are our reporting units, and goodwill is allocated at the operating segment level. The Company reviews goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment in the fourth quarter, or more frequently, if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company has operating and finance leases for facilities, office spaces, production equipment and vehicles. Operating leases are included in right‐of‐use (“ROU”) assets and finance lease ROU assets are included in capital assets in the statements of financial position. The lease liabilities are included in lease liabilities (current and non-current) in the statements of financial position.

ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are classified as a finance lease or an operating lease. A finance lease is a lease in which:

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ownership of the property transfers to the lessee by the end of the lease term;

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the lease grants the lessee an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise;

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the lease is for a major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset;

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the present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee that is not already included in the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value; or

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the underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.

The Company classifies a lease as an operating lease when it does not meet any one of these criteria.

The ROU asset is initially measured at cost, which is primarily comprised of the initial amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs and lease payments at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received. All ROU assets are reviewed periodically for impairment.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is defined as the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise:

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fixed lease payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives;

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variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date;

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the amount expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees;

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the exercise of purchase options, if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise the options; and

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payments of penalties for early termination of a lease unless the Company is reasonably certain not to terminate early.

For finance leases, lease expenses are the sum of interest on the lease obligations and amortization of the ROU assets. Finance lease ROU assets are amortized based on the lesser of the lease term and the useful life of the leased asset according to the capital asset accounting policy. If ownership of the ROU assets transfers to the Company at the end of the lease term or if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, amortization is calculated using the estimated useful life of the leased asset.

For operating leases, the lease expenses are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and recorded to general and administrative expenses in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient, for each class of underlying asset, to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease components of the lessee’s contract and account for both components as a single lease component.

The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases (defined as leases with a lease term of 12 months or less that do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise). Short-term leases include real estate and vehicles and are not significant in comparison to the Company’s overall lease portfolio. For these leases, the Company recognizes the leases as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Convertible notes receivable

Convertible notes receivables include various investments in which the Company has the right to convert the indenture into common stock shares of the investee and are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses during the year, net of the related tax effect, are excluded from income and reflected in other comprehensive income (loss), and the cumulative effect is reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. The Company assesses its convertible notes receivables for impairment at each measurement date. Convertible notes receivables are impaired when a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, credit quality of debt instrument issuers, and the duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss and a new cost basis for the investment is established. The Company also evaluates whether there is a plan to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery. If neither of the conditions exist, then only the portion of the impairment loss attributable to credit loss is recorded in the statements of net loss and the remaining amount is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).

Long-term investments

Long-term investments include investments in equity securities of entities over which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest or significant influence and are accounted for at fair value. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values are measured at cost with adjustments for observable changes in price or impairments (referred to as the “measurement alternative”). In applying the measurement alternative, the Company performs a qualitative assessment on a quarterly basis and recognizes an impairment if there are sufficient indicators that the fair value of the equity investments is less than carrying values. Changes in value are recorded in non-operating income (loss).

Equity method investments

Investments in entities over which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest but has significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method, with the Company’s share of losses reported in loss from equity method investments on the statements of loss and comprehensive loss. Equity method investments are recorded at cost, plus the Company’s share of undistributed earnings or losses, and impairment, if any, within interest in equity investees on the statements of financial position.

Convertible debentures

The Company accounts for its convertible debentures in accordance with ASC 470-20 Debt with Conversion and Other Options, which requires the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, to be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. The initial proceeds from the sale of convertible notes are allocated between a liability component and an equity component in a manner that reflects interest expense at the rate of similar nonconvertible debt that could have been issued at such time. The equity component represents the excess initial proceeds received over the fair value of the liability component of the notes as of the date of issuance. The resulting debt discount is amortized over the period during which the convertible notes are expected to be outstanding as additional non-cash interest expenses.

Upon repurchase of convertible debt instruments, ASC 470-20 requires the issuer to allocate total settlement consideration, inclusive of transaction costs, amongst the liability and equity components of the instrument based on the fair value of the liability component immediately prior to repurchase. The difference between the settlement consideration allocated to the liability component and the net carrying value of the liability component, including unamortized debt issuance costs, would be recognized as gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss. The remaining settlement consideration allocated to the equity component would be recognized as a reduction of additional paid-in capital in the statements of financial position.

For convertible debentures with an embedded conversion feature that did not meet the equity scope exception from derivative accounting pursuant to ASC 815-15, the Company elected the fair value option under ASC 825 Fair Value Measurements. When the fair value option is elected, the convertible debenture is initially recognized at fair value on the statements of financial position and all subsequent changes in fair value, excluding the impact of the change in fair value related to instrument-specific credit risk are recorded in non-operating income (loss). The changes in fair value related to instrument-specific credit risk is recorded through other comprehensive income (loss). Transaction costs directly attributable to the issuance of the convertible debenture is immediately expensed in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

Warrants

Warrants are accounted for in accordance with applicable accounting guidance provided in ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity's Own Equity, as either liabilities or as equity instruments depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. Warrants classified as liabilities are recorded at fair value and are remeasured at each reporting date until settlement. Changes in fair value is recognized as a component of change in fair value of warrant liability in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss. Transaction costs allocated to warrants that are presented as a liability were immediately expensed in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss. Warrants classified as equity instruments are initially recognized at fair value and are not subsequently remeasured.

Fair value measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The carrying values of accounts receivable, prepaids and other current assets, bank indebtedness and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to their short periods to maturity. The Company calculates the estimated fair value of financial instruments, including convertible notes receivable, long-term investments, warrant liability, contingent consideration, and convertible debentures, using quoted market prices when available. When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available and may include quoted market prices, market comparables, and discounted cash flow projections.

Income taxes

Income taxes are recognized in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss and are comprised of current and deferred taxes. Current tax is recognized in connection with income for tax purposes, unrealized tax benefits and the recovery of tax paid in a prior period and measured using enacted tax rates and laws applicable to the taxation period during which the income for tax purposes arose. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Management makes an assessment of the likelihood that a deferred tax asset will be realized, and a valuation allowance is provided to the extent that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company recognizes uncertain income tax positions at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. A change in the recognition or measurement of an unrealized tax benefit is reflected in the period during which the change occurs.

Revenue

Revenue is recognized when the control of the promised goods, through performance obligation, is transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for the performance obligations.

Excise taxes remitted to tax authorities are government-imposed excise taxes on cannabis and beer. Excise taxes are recorded as a reduction of sales in net revenue in the consolidated statements of operations and recognized as a current liability within accounts payable and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, with the liability subsequently reduced when the taxes are remitted to the tax authority.

In addition, amounts disclosed as net revenue are net of excise taxes, sales tax, duty tax, allowances, discounts and rebates.

In determining the transaction price for the sale of goods, the Company considers the effects of variable consideration and the existence of significant financing components, if any.

Some contracts for the sale of goods may provide customers with a right of return, volume discount, bonuses for volume/quality achievement, or sales allowance. In addition, the Company may provide in certain circumstances, a retrospective price reduction to a customer based primarily on inventory movement. These items give rise to variable consideration. The Company uses the expected value method to estimate the variable consideration because this method best predicts the amount of variable consideration to which the Company will be entitled. The Company uses historical evidence, current information and forecasts to estimate the variable consideration. The Company reduces revenue and recognizes a contract liability equal to the amount expected to be refunded to the customer in the form of a future rebate or credit for a retrospective price reduction, representing its obligation to return the customer’s consideration. The estimate is updated at each reporting period date.

The Company may receive short-term advances from its customers. Using the practical expedient in ASC 606, the Company does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between when the Company transfers a promised good to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less. The Company has not, nor expects to receive long-term advances from customers.

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold represents costs directly related to manufacturing and distribution of the Company’s products. Primary costs include raw materials, packaging, direct labor, overhead, shipping and handling, the amortization of manufacturing equipment and production facilities and tariffs. Manufacturing overhead and related expenses include salaries, wages, employee benefits, utilities, maintenance and property taxes. Cost of goods sold also includes inventory valuation adjustments. The Company recognizes the cost of goods sold as the associated revenues are recognized.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses are comprised primarily of (i) personnel related costs such as salaries, benefits, annual employee bonus expense and stock-based ‘compensation costs for personnel in corporate, finance, legal, and other administrative positions; (ii) legal, accounting, consulting and other professional fees; and (iii) corporate insurance and other facilities costs associated with our corporate and administrative locations.

Selling

Selling expenses are comprised direct selling costs which primarily consist of (i) commissions paid to our third-party workforce, (ii) patient acquisition and maintenance fees, (iii) Health Canada’s cannabis fees and (iv) freight.

Marketing and promotions

Marketing and promotion

Marketing and promotion expenses are comprised primarily of marketing and advertising expenses.

Research and development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development are comprised primarily of costs for personnel, clinical study costs, contracted research, consulting services, materials and supplies, milestones, an allocation of our occupancy costs and other expenses incurred to sustain our overall research and development programs.

Stock-based compensation

The Company has an omnibus plan which includes issuances of stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) in place. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of RSUs is based on the share price as at date of grant and no SARs were issued to date. The share-based compensation expense is based on the fair value of the stock-based awards at the grant date and the expense is recognized over the related service period following a straight-line vesting expense schedule. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises these estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Any revisions are recognized in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimate.

For performance-based stock options and RSUs, the Company records compensation expense over the estimated service period adjusted for a probability factor of achieving the performance-based milestones. At each reporting date, the Company assesses the probability factor and records compensation expense accordingly, net of estimated forfeitures.

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing reported net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing reported net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares and the number of dilutive potential common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Potential dilutive common share equivalents consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of vested share options, warrants, and RSUs and the incremental shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible debentures and similar instruments.

In computing diluted earnings (loss) per share, common share equivalents are not considered in periods in which a net loss is reported, as the inclusion of the common share equivalents would be anti-dilutive.

Critical accounting estimates and judgments

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and judgements are subject to change based on experience and new information which could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities affecting future periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized prospectively.

Financial statement areas that require significant judgement are as follows:

Leases – The Company applies judgement in determining whether a contract contains a lease and if a lease is classified as an operating lease or a finance lease. The Company determines the lease term as the non-cancellable term of the lease, which may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. That is, it considers all relevant factors that create an economic incentive for it to exercise either the renewal or termination. After the commencement date, the Company reassesses the lease term if there is a significant event or change in circumstances that is within its control and affects its ability to exercise or not to exercise the option to renew or to terminate (e.g., construction of significant leasehold improvements or significant customization to the leased asset).

Long-term investments and convertible notes receivable – The determination of fair value of the Company’s long-term investments and convertible notes receivable at other than initial cost is subject to certain limitations. Financial information for private companies in which the Company has investments may not be available and, even if available, that information may be limited and/or unreliable.

Use of the valuation approach described below may involve uncertainties and determinations based on the Company’s judgment and any value estimated from these techniques may not be realized or realizable.

Company-specific information is considered when determining whether the fair value of a long-term investment or convertible notes receivable should be adjusted upward or downward at the end of each reporting period. In addition to company-specific information, the Company will consider trends in general market conditions and the share performance of comparable publicly traded companies when valuing long-term investments and convertible notes receivable.

The fair value of long-term investments and convertible notes receivable may need to be adjusted if:

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There has been a significant subsequent equity financing provided by outside investors at a valuation different than the current value of the investee company, in which case the fair value of the investment is set to the value at which that financing took place;

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There have been significant corporate, political, or operating events affecting the investee company that, in management’s opinion, have a material impact on the investee company’s prospects and therefore its fair value. In these circumstances, the adjustment to the fair value of the investment will be based on management’s judgment and any value estimated may not be realized or realizable;

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The investee company is placed into receivership or bankruptcy;

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Based on financial information received from the investee company, it is apparent to the Company that the investee company is unlikely to be able to continue as a going concern;

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Important positive or negative management changes by the investee company that the Company’s management believes will have a positive or negative impact on the investee company’s ability to achieve its objectives and build value for shareholders.

Adjustment to the fair value of a long-term investment and convertible notes receivable will be based upon management’s judgment and any value estimated may not be realized or realizable. The resulting values for non-publicly traded investments may differ from values that would be realized if a ready market existed.

Estimated useful lives, impairment considerations and amortization of capital and intangible assets – Amortization of capital and intangible assets is dependent upon estimates of useful lives based on management’s judgment.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing require management to make estimates in the impairment testing model. On at least an annual basis, the Company tests whether goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired. Impairment of definite long-lived assets is influenced by judgment in defining a reporting unit and determining the indicators of impairment, and estimates used to measure impairment losses

The reporting unit’s fair value is determined using discounted future cash flow models, which incorporate assumptions regarding future events, specifically future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. The uncertainties of coronavirus’ (“COVID-19”) impact on the future cash flow estimates are further described in Note 10 Business acquisitions and goodwill.

Stock-based compensation – The fair value of stock-based compensation expenses are estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and rely on a number of assumptions including the fair value of common shares on the grant date, risk-free rate, volatility rate, annual dividend yield, the expected term, and the estimated rate of forfeiture of options granted. Volatility is estimated by using the historical volatility of the Company.

Business combinations – Judgement is used in determining a) whether an acquisition is a business combination or an asset acquisition. We use judgement in applying the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations and estimates to value identifiable assets and liabilities at the acquisition date. Estimates are used to determine cash flow projections, including the period of future benefit, and future growth and discount rates, among other factors. The values allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities assumed affect the amount of goodwill recorded on acquisition. Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically estimated using an income approach, which is based on the present value of future discounted cash flows. Significant estimates in the discounted cash flow model include the discount rate, rate of future revenue growth and profitability of the acquired business and working capital effects. The discount rate considers the relevant risk associated with the business-specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to the ability to achieve projected cash flows. These estimates and the resulting valuations require significant judgment. Management engages third party experts to assist in the valuation of material acquisitions.

Convertible debentures – The fair value of Convertible Debentures where the Company had elected the fair value option are determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Assumptions and estimates are made in determining an appropriate conversion price, volatility, dividend yield, and the fair value of common stock. There is judgement in assessing what portion of the gain or loss, if any, relates to the change in the instrument-specific credit risk.

Warrant liability – The fair value of the warrant liability is measured using a Black Scholes pricing model. Assumptions and estimates are made in determining an appropriate risk-free interest rate, volatility, term, dividend yield, discount due to exercise restrictions, and the fair value of common stock. Any significant adjustments to the unobservable inputs would have a direct impact on the fair value of the warrant liability.

Recent accounting pronouncements adopted/not yet adopted

New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021 and including interim periods within those fiscal years, which means that it will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of our year beginning June 1, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU on the Company’s financial Statements. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2019-12 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) (“ASU 2020-01”), which is intended to clarify the interaction of the accounting for equity securities under Topic 321 and investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting in Topic 323 and the accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options accounted for under Topic 815. ASU 2020-01 is effective for the Company beginning June 1, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”), which amends and simplifies existing guidance in an effort to reduce the complexity of accounting for convertible instruments and to provide financial statement users with more meaningful information. ASU 2020-06 is effective for the Company beginning June 1, 2022. This update may be applied retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis with the cumulative effect recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU.