form20f.htm


As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2009

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F
 
o          Registration statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
OR
 
x          Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009
 
OR
 
o          Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the transition period from _____________to ___________
 
OR
 
o          Shell company report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of event requiring this shell company report _____________
 
Commission file number 0-30082
 
ENVOY CAPITAL GROUP INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
 

Ontario, Canada

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
30 St. Patrick St., Ste. 301, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 3A3

(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Andrew Patient, Tel. 416-593-3725 Fax 416-593-4434, 30 St. Patrick St., Ste.301, Toronto Ontario, Canada M5T 3A3

(Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
COMMON SHARES

(Title of Class)
 
The Nasdaq Capital Market

(Name of each exchange on which registered)
 


 
 

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

NONE

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: At September 30, 2009, there were 8,558,377 common shares outstanding.

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    YES: o     NO: x

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.   YES: o      NO: x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES:  x  NO: o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   YES:  x  NO: o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non accelerated filer:
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer x

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the Registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP o  International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board o  Other x

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the Registrant has elected to follow.Item 17: x         Item 18: o

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES: o    NO: x

 
2

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
PART I
 
   
Item 1.
5
Item 2.
5
Item 3.
5
Item 4.
12
Item 4A.
16
Item 5.
16
Item 6.
37
Item 7.
49
Item 8.
51
Item 9.
51
Item 10.
54
Item 11.
63
Item 12.
65
     
PART II
 
   
Item 13.
65
Item 14.
66
Item 15.
66
Item l6A
67
Item l6B
67
Item l6C
68
Item 16D
69
Item 16E
69
     
PART III
 
   
Item 17.
70
Item 18.
70
Item 19.
71
 
Certifications
 
Exhibit Index
 

3


The certifications are exhibits, not part of body.

References in this annual report to “the Company” and ‘Envoy’ mean Envoy Capital Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified.

The Company presents its consolidated financial statements in Canadian dollars. In this annual report, except where otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars. References to “$“ are to Canadian dollars, references to “U.S.” are to United States dollars, “€” are to Euro dollars and references to “£“ are to British pounds. See “Selected Financial Data” in Item 3 of this Form 20-F.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to Envoy’s outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, commissions and fees, expenses and other financial items, and Envoy’s plans and expectations relating to its business and prospects. The words “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by Envoy in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause Envoy’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the factors described in Item 3.D “Risk Factors”. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Envoy’s forward-looking statements. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

4


PART I
 
Item 1:   Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
 
Not applicable.

Item 2:   Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
 
Not applicable.

Item 3:   Key Information
 
A. Selected Financial Data¹
 
The following tables sets forth selected financial data for Envoy for the fiscal years indicated below and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) appearing under Item 17 in this Form 20-F and the discussion under Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” herein. The selected consolidated financial data does not include statements of operations data or balance sheet data of any acquired operations prior to their respective acquisition effective dates. The Company’s historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

Fiscal Years Ended September 30
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006 (2)
   
2005 (3)
 
(all amounts in thousands exceptper share data)
                             
   
Statement of Operations Data:
 
   
Net Revenue
  $ 12,318     $ 11,260     $ 17,551     $ 9,672     $ 19,567  
                                         
(Loss) Earnings From Continuing Operations (4)
    (10,476 )     (10,158 )     2,641       (5,392 )     3,074  
                                         
Earnings From Discontinued Operations
    -       -       375       7,528       2,868  
                                         
(Loss) Earnings From Continuing Operations BasicEarnings Per Share
    (1.22 )     (1.11 )     0.20       (0.27 )     0.14  
                                         
(Loss) Earnings From Continuing OperationsDiluted Earnings Per Share
    (1.22 )     (1.11 )     0.20       (0.27 )     0.14  
                                         
Net (Loss) Earnings (4)
    (10,476 )     (10,158 )     3,017       2,136       5,942  
                                         
Net (Loss) Earnings PerShare Basic
    (1.22 )     (1.11 )     0.23       0.10       0.27  
                                         
Net (Loss) EarningsPer Share Diluted (4)
    (1.22 )     (1.11 )     0.23       0.10       0.27  

5

 
¹The Consolidated Financial Statements of Envoy have been prepared by management in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“Canadian GAAP”) which vary in certain significant respects from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).  Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 is set forth in Note 24 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The fol1owing would be the adjustments under U.S. GAAP to the information provided above as an increase (decrease) to: Net revenue 2009 ($586), 2008 $4,255, 2007 ($5,148), 2006 $nil and 2005 $nil; (Loss) earnings from continuing operations 2009 ($283), 2008 $1,686, 2007 ($1,240), 2006 $nil and 2005 $344; (Loss) earnings from continuing operations earnings per share basic 2009 ($0.04), 2008 $0.18, 2007 ($0.09), 2006 $nil and 2005 $0.01; (Loss) earnings from continuing operations earnings per share diluted 2009 ($0.04), 2008 $0.18, 2007 ($0.09), 2006 $nil and 2005 $0.01; Net  (loss) earnings 2009 ($283), 2008 $4,490, 2007 ($1,240), 2006 ($2,700) and 2005 $344; and Net (loss) earnings per share basic 2009 ($0.04), 2008 $0.49, 2007 ($0.09), 2006 ($0.13) and 2005 $0.01; Net (loss) earnings per share diluted 2009 ($0.04), 2008 $0.49, 2007 ($0.09), 2006 ($0.13) and 2005 $0.01.

At a meeting held on August 14, 2003, the Company’s shareholders approved the consolidation of the Company’s common shares on the basis to be determined by its board of directors (not to exceed a ratio of 1 for 10). On January 15, 2005, the Company’s board of directors approved the consolidation of the common shares (a reverse stock split) on the basis of a 1 for 5 ratio. On January 21, 2005 the Company filed Articles of Amendment consolidating its common shares on the basis of 1 new common share for every 5 common shares outstanding. Outstanding shares and earnings per share figures for all periods presented have been adjusted to give effect to the share consolidation. Information on the number of shares outstanding, and stock options are disclosed on a post-consolidation basis.

As at September 30
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006 (2)
   
2005 (3)
 
(all amounts in thousands)
                             
   
Balance Sheet Data:
 
   
Current Assets
  $ 21,476     $ 28,823     $ 38,832     $ 68,701     $ 44,759  
                                         
Total Assets (6)
    23,595       36,482       50,792       81,274       84,057  
                                         
Total Debt (5)
    -       70       157       252       361  
                                         
Shareholders’ Equity (6)
    21,624       32,159       45,157       75,047       73,555  
                                         
(Deficit) Retained Earnings (7)
    (17,540 )     (7,064 )     3,094       (40,266 )     (42,403 )

2   The exchange rate utilized with respect to the Statement of Operations Data for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 of Watt Gilchrist Limited (“Gilchrist”) and Parker Williams Design Limited (“PWD”) is £1.00 to $2.0571 and with respect to the Balance Sheet Data of Gilchrist and PWD is £1.00 to $2.1044. Except as set forth in footnotes 4 and 6, no other acquisitions by Envoy materially affect the comparability of the information in the Selected Financial Data.

3   The exchange rate utilized with respect to the Statement of Operations Data for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 of Watt Gilchrist Limited (“Gilchrist”) is £1.00 to $2.2641 and with respect to the Balance Sheet Data of Gilchrist is £1.00 to $2.0648. The exchange rate utilized with respect to the Statements of Operations Data for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 of Parker Williams Design Limited (“PWD”) is £1.00 to $2.2428. The exchange rate utilized with respect to the Balance Sheet Data of PWD is £1.00 to $2.0648. Except as set forth in footnotes 4 and 6, no other acquisitions by Envoy materially affect the comparability of the information in the Selected Financial Data.

6


4 As reflected in Note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the net (loss) earnings from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005 were ($10,759), ($8,472), $1,401, ($5,392) and $3,418, respectively under U.S. GAAP. The net (loss) earnings for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were ($10,759), ($5,668), $1,777, ($564) and $6,286, respectively under U.S. GAAP. The diluted net (loss) earnings per share for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were ($1.26), ($0.62), $0.14, ($0.03) and $0.28, respectively under U.S. GAAP.

As described above, on January 21, 2005, Envoy filed Articles of Amendment consolidating its common shares on the basis of 1 new common share for every 5 common shares outstanding. Outstanding shares and earnings per share figures for all periods presented have been adjusted to give effect to the share consolidation.

5  Total debt includes both the current and long term portion of debt.

6  As reflected in Note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the shareholders’ equity as at September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $21,813, $32,631, $41,140, $72,589, $73,550 and $77,066, respectively under U.S. GAAP. Total assets as of September 30, 2009 and 2008 under U.S. GAAP would exclude fair value adjustments of $189 and $472, respectively.  In addition, total assets as of September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005 under U.S. GAAP would exclude the unrealized gain on private equities of $1,147, $nil, and $nil, respectively, include the unrealized gain (loss) on securities for sale of $nil, $242 and ($6), respectively, exclude capitalized incorporation costs of $66, $nil, and $nil, respectively, and exclude cash held in escrow relating to the sale of the UK operations of $2,803, $2,700, and $nil, respectively.

7  Retained earnings as of September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005, excludes the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment of $nil, $nil, ($77), ($51) and ($2,153), respectively. See Note 2(f) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Envoy.

Envoy has never paid any dividends on its common shares and does not anticipate that it will pay any cash dividends on its common shares in the foreseeable future. Any decision to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of Envoy’s board of directors, after taking into account such factors as Envoy’s financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and plans for expansion.

7


Exchange Rates:
 
On December 11, 2009, the noon buying rate for Canadian dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve was $1.00 U.S. to $1.0583. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain information regarding the exchange rates of Canadian dollars into U.S. currency. The rate of exchange means the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve.
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
Average *
  $ 1.1787     $ 1.0101     $ 1.0885     $ 1.1151     $ 1.2171  

* The Average rate means the average rates each period, calculated by using the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the fiscal period.
 
For the Month Ended
 
   
November
2009
   
October
2009
   
September
2009
   
August
2009
   
July
2009
   
June
2009
 
High
  $ 1.0742     $ 1.0843     $ 1.1060     $ 1.1097     $ 1.1650     $ 1.1626  
Low
  $ 1.0458     $ 1.0289     $ 1.0615     $ 1.0650     $ 1.0791     $ 1.0828  


B.    Capitalization and Indebtedness
      
Not applicable.

C.    Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
     
Not applicable.

D.  Risk Factors
 
Envoy’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of the following risks. In addition, risk and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect its business.

Risks Related to Envoy’s Business and Industry
 
The Company has a limited number of large clients.
 
The Company receives a significant portion of its revenues from a limited number of large clients. The loss of any such clients could adversely impact the Company’s prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s results of operations and its business depend on its relationship with a limited number of large clients. Set forth below is the percentage of net revenue during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 for each of the Company’s clients that accounted for 10% or more of its net revenue:
 
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
Client
 
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company
    23 %
McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited
    17 %

The Company expects its reliance on a limited number of clients will continue in the future.

8


There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain its historical rate of growth or its current level of revenue derived from any client in the future.

The Company is dependent on its key personnel.
 
The Company’s success depends in part upon its ability to hire and retain key senior management and skilled technical, client service and creative personnel able to create and maintain solid relationships with clients. An inability to hire or retain qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company is exposed to the risks of doing business internationally.
 
The Company’s operations are subject to a number of risks inherent in operating in different countries. These include, but are not limited to risks regarding:
 
currency exchange rate fluctuations;
restrictions on repatriation of earnings; and
changes in the political or economic conditions of a specific country or region, particularly in emerging markets.

The occurrence of any of these events or conditions could adversely affect the Company’s ability to increase or maintain its operations in various countries.
 
Currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.
 
The Company is subject to currency risk through its activities in the United States, Middle East and Europe.  Unfavourable changes in the exchange rate may affect the operating results of the Company. The Company has begun to actively use derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk.  In addition, dependent on the nature, amount and timing of foreign currency receipts and payments, the Company may from time to time enter into foreign currency contracts to mitigate the associated risks.

Market rate fluctuations could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.
 
The Company is subject to market risk through the risk of loss of value in Envoy’s portfolios resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, credit spreads, and equity prices. The Company is required to mark to market its held-for-trading investments at the end of each reporting period. This process could result in significant write-downs of the Company’s investments over one or more reporting periods, particularly during periods of overall market instability, which would have a significant unfavourable effect on the Company’s financial position

The Company may be unsuccessful in evaluating material risks involved in completed and future investments.
 
The Company regularly reviews investment opportunities and as part of the review, the Company conducts business, legal and financial due diligence with the goal of identifying and evaluating material risks involved in any particular transaction. Despite the Company’s efforts, it may be unsuccessful in ascertaining or evaluating all such risks. As a result, it might not realize the intended advantages of any given investment and may not identify all of the risks relating to the investment. If the Company fails to realize the expected benefits from one or more investments, or does not identify all of the risks associated with a particular investment, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

9


The Company is subject to credit risk.
 
The Company manages its credit risk with respect to accounts receivable by acting as an agent for its customers, by dealing primarily with large creditworthy customers and by billing whenever possible in advance of rendering services or making commitments. The Company had one customer who represented 23% of accounts receivable as at September 30, 2009, and one customer who represented 32% of accounts receivable as at September 30, 2008. Should the Company fail to efficiently manage its outstanding accounts receivable, the Company’s results of operations may be adversely affected.

Certain of the Company’s financial assets, including cash and cash equivalents are exposed to the risk of financial loss occurring as a result of default of a counterparty on its obligations to the Company.  The Company may, from time to time, invest in debt obligations.   The Company is also exposed, in the normal course of business, to credit risk from the sale of its investments and advances to investee companies.

The Company may need to raise additional capital to grow its business, which it may not be able to do.
 
The Company's future liquidity and capital requirements are difficult to predict because they depend on numerous factors, including the success of its existing services, attracting and maintaining clients, as well as competing market developments.  As a result, the Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash from its operations to meet additional working capital requirements, support additional capital expenditures or take advantage of investment or acquisition opportunities.  Accordingly, the Company may need to raise additional capital in the future.

The Company's ability to obtain additional financing will be subject to a number of factors, including market conditions and its operating performance.  These factors may make the timing, amount, terms and conditions of additional financing unattractive for the Company.  If the Company raises additional funds by selling equity securities, the relative equity ownership of its existing investors could be diluted or the new investors could obtain terms more favorable than previous investors.  If the Company raises additional funds through debt financing, it might incur significant borrowing costs.  If the Company is unable to raise additional funds when needed, or on terms acceptable to it, the Company's ability to operate and grow its business could be impeded.

The Company is subject to recessionary economic cycles.
 
The marketing and communications industry is cyclical and as a result it is subject to downturns in general economic conditions and changes in client business and marketing budgets. Such downturns in the economic cycle may have material adverse effects on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

10


The Company may be subject to certain regulations that could restrict the Company’s activities.
 
From time to time, governments, government agencies and industry self- regulatory bodies in Canada, the United States, the European Union and other countries in which the Company operates have adopted statutes, regulations and rulings that directly or indirectly affect the activities of the Company and its clients. For further discussion of such regulations, see the discussion in the Government Regulations section under Item 4.B. Though the Company does not expect any existing or proposed regulations to materially adversely impact the Company’s business, the Company is unable to estimate the effect on its future operations of the application of existing statutes or regulations or the extent or nature of future regulatory action.

The Company competes for clients in a highly competitive industry, which may reduce market share and decrease profits.
 
The marketing and communication services industry is highly competitive and fragmented. The Company’s principal competitors are large multinational communications services companies, as well as regional and national branding and marketing services firms. Many of the Company’s competitors have larger client bases and significantly greater financial, marketing, public relations, revenues and other resources than the Company does. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete effectively against these companies, and the competition for clients against such current and future competitors may reduce the Company’s market share and decrease profits.

Risks related to the Company’s common shares
 
Because the Company is a Canadian company, it may be difficult to enforce liabilities against the Company based solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States.
 
The Company was organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, and its principal executive offices are located in Toronto, Ontario. Many of its directors, controlling persons and officers are residents of Canada and a substantial portion of their assets and a majority of the Company’s assets are located outside the United States. Consequently, it may be difficult to enforce against the Company or any of its directors, controlling persons, or officers, liabilities based solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States.

The Company believes that it is a Passive Foreign Investment Company, which may have adverse tax consequences for the Company’s shareholders in the United States.
 
Under U.S. federal income tax laws, the Company believes that it was a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for the year ending September 30, 2009, and that it has been a PFIC in prior years, which may have adverse tax consequences for the Company’s shareholders in the United States. U.S. shareholders are urged to read the section titled “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in Item 10 of this Form 20-F and to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding the common shares of a PFIC.

11


Item 4:   Information on the Company
 
Envoy’s businesses include an international consumer and retail branding company and a merchant banking and financial services company.

Envoy conducts its branding services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Watt International Inc. (“Watt International”), which is one of the world’s leading brand strategy and design consultancies. Envoy provides consulting, branding, packaging and retail design services to clients in Canada, the United States, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, China and South America, as well as project work for clients in other countries around the globe.  With two offices located in North America, Watt International’s clients include: The Great Atlantic and Pacific Company, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited, and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

In 2009, the top three customers accounted for 23%, 17% and 7% of net revenue.  In 2008, the top three customers accounted for 22%, 19% and 15% of net revenue.  In 2008, two other customers accounted for 12% and 10% of net revenue, respectively.

Watt International subsists under the laws of the Province of Ontario.

In Fiscal 2006, Envoy’s board of directors approved the creation of a merchant banking operation focused on providing financial services as well as equity and debt capital to small and mid-cap companies. Envoy Capital Group was officially launched in fiscal 2007.

The merchant banking division investments currently consist of a blend of professionally managed market diversified funds and direct investments in growth stage public companies.  A certain portion of the portfolio is also invested in common shares of private companies. The merchant bank business earnings consist of both realized and unrealized gains in the market value of its investments, plus dividends and interest income.

The principal place of business of Envoy is 30 St. Patrick St., Ste. 301, Toronto, Canada M5T 3A3. Envoy may be reached by telephone at (416) 593-1212 or facsimile at (416) 593 4434. Envoy’s website is www.envoy.to. Information contained on Envoy’s website does not constitute a part of this Form 20-F.

A.  History and Development of the Company

Envoy was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada as “Potential Mines Ltd.” in December 1973 and was continued under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada in December 1997. At the Company’s annual general meeting held on March 30, 2007 the shareholders voted to amend the corporation’s articles of incorporation by changing its name to Envoy Capital Group Inc.  Envoy’s registered office is located at St. Patrick St., Ste. 301, Toronto, Canada M5T 3A3 (telephone 416/593-1212).

Since December 1997, Envoy has shifted the nature of its business to providing marketing, communications and consumer and retail branding services for promoting clients’ products, services and business messages utilizing such media as print, broadcast and the Internet. Envoy has grown, in large part, through strategic acquisitions. Certain material transactions by Envoy since January 1, 2006 are described below.

12


Effective September 15, 2006, Envoy completed the sale of all of the shares of its wholly owned UK subsidiary ECGH, including the related business and assets of Gilchrist and PWD.  The sale price of $27 million was paid in cash.  Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the sale purchase agreement, $2.7 million was held in escrow to secure potential third party claims.  In January, 2008, the Company received $2,834,568, representing the withheld amount plus accrued interest.

On September 15, 2006, the Company announced its intention to repurchase its common shares under a substantial issuer bid in the form of a modified “Dutch Auction” tender offer. On January 25, 2007, pursuant to this Dutch Auction tender offer, the Company announced that it would take up and pay for the shares at a purchase price of US$2.70 (CDN$3.19) per share for a total purchase price of US$24.4 million (CDN$28.7 million).  Costs relating to the offering totaled approximately $1.5 million.  On January 30, 2007, the Company took up and paid for 9,002,383 shares.  Payment for the shares was made from available cash on hand.

B.  Business Overview
 
Services in the Envoy Group:
 
Consumer and retail branding — Watt International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Envoy that management believes to be one of the world’s leading brand strategy and design consultancies, provides the following services: strategic brand consulting, corporate identity and communications, retail branding and store design, and package design.

In Fiscal 2006, Envoy established a merchant banking organization focused on providing financial services as well as equity and debt capital to small and mid-cap companies. Envoy Capital Group was officially launched in fiscal 2007.

The Merchant Bank division investments currently consist of a blend of professionally managed market diversified funds and direct investments in growth stage public companies.  A certain portion of the portfolio is also invested in common shares of private companies. The Merchant Bank business earnings consist of both realized and unrealized gains in the market value of its investments, plus dividends and interest income.

Our Strategic Direction:
 
At the Company’s annual general meeting held on March 30, 2007 the shareholders voted to amend the corporation’s articles of incorporation by changing its name to Envoy Capital Group Inc. and removing the maximum number of common shares that the corporation is authorized to issue.  In addition, the shareholders also voted to reduce the stated capital of the corporation’s common shares by $40.3 million for the purpose of eliminating the deficit on the consolidated balance sheet of the corporation as at September 30, 2006.

On November 25, 2008, the Company established a new foreign subsidiary, Envoy Capital Group Monaco, S.A.M (“Envoy Monaco”).  Envoy Monaco will be responsible for carrying on Envoy’s existing merchant banking business. Currently Envoy’s Merchant Banking Division is a diversified investment, financial advisory and consulting firm focused on the securities of public issuers.  Envoy Monaco’s investment portfolio will be comprised of securities of mostly public and some private issuers in a broad range of business sectors. It will also continue to try to identify compelling investment opportunities in energy-related, technology and biotechnology businesses.  The choice of the Principality of Monaco as the strategic location for Envoy’s world-wide merchant banking business was based on several factors, including:

13


*
A geographically strategic position, next to southern Mediterranean markets and two hours away from major European cities.
*
A unique political and economic environment.
*
A straightforward, advantageous fiscal system, for both individuals and companies.
*
The density of financial activities.
The presence of an efficient and easily accessible administrative infrastructure.
Security for both assets and people.
Excellent infrastructures for free movement of goods and people.
Exceptional political and social stability.

On September 15, 2006, the Company announced its intention to repurchase its common shares under a substantial issuer bid in the form of a modified “Dutch Auction” tender offer. On January 25, 2007, pursuant to this Dutch Auction tender offer, the Company announced that it would take up and pay for the shares at a purchase price of US$2.70 (CDN$3.19) per share for a total purchase price of US$24.4 million (CDN$28.7 million).  Costs relating to the offering totaled approximately $1.5 million.  On January 30, 2007, the Company took up and paid for 9,002,383 shares.  Payment for the shares was made from available cash on hand.

On September 15, 2006, Envoy sold its wholly owned subsidiary ECGH, including related assets and business operations.   Envoy believes that the sale of ECGH, which represented non-core holdings of Envoy, will enhance shareholder value.

On June 30, 2005, Envoy sold all the shares of its advertising business, John Street, to the management of John Street.

Industry Overview:
 
Consumer and Retail Branding
 
In all areas of marketing and product design, companies are looking to extend their customer relationships and influence consumer behavior. Consumer and retail branding services encompass the entire customer experience, from product packaging to the retail environment, and are a key component of a company’s marketing communications strategy.

The consumer and retail branding services sector is rapidly evolving into a global marketplace, as companies are increasingly looking for expertise in the development and maintenance of their brands on a global basis. Companies are looking to firms that can deliver a consistent message to consumers through packaging and retail design, regardless of geography.

Retail is the second largest industry in the United States and one of the largest industries worldwide. Unlike other, more volatile sectors, the retail industry continues to grow at a steady rate, particularly as developing countries achieve greater economic stability.
 
Watt International has continued to service clients in various segments of the market.  During fiscal 2008, Watt International continued to focus its efforts to transform the business model to strategically driven operations and align itself with the market conditions to retain and service existing clients and to grow by providing innovative solutions in domestic and international markets.
 

Government Regulations:
 
The marketing communications industry is subject to extensive government regulation, both domestic and foreign, with respect to the truth in and fairness of advertising. There are also a number of U.S. federal and state laws and regulations directed at the advertising and marketing of specific products, such as food and drug products. In addition, there has been an increasing tendency on the part of businesses to resort to the judicial system, as well as industry self-regulatory procedures, to challenge comparative advertising of their competitors on the grounds that the advertising is false and deceptive. There can be no assurance Envoy will not be subject to claims against it or Envoy’s clients by other companies or governmental agencies or that such claims, regardless of merit, would not have a material adverse effect on Envoy’s future operating performance.

Merchant Banking
 
The financial services sector is experiencing a period of instability as forces of change with respect to globalization, regulatory changes, consolidations, and advances in technology change the entire context of financial services throughout the world.
 
Competition in the financial services sector is increasing both domestically and in the international marketplace. Within Canada, recent changes to federal law and regulation have opened up new opportunities for foreign banks to operate and encouraged the start up of new banks, offering more choice to consumers. New banks are arriving on the scene virtually every year. Some have established traditional branches, while others have focused on electronic channels, or specific products or market segments. Recent entrants have included both global competitors and domestic newcomers.
 
Envoy Capital Group is a merchant banking division of Envoy that focuses on providing financial services as well as equity and debt capital, to small and mid-cap companies. Going forward, Envoy will also provide the necessary capital to allow Envoy Monaco to carry out its mandate.   Envoy Monaco’s investment portfolio will be comprised of securities of mostly public and some private issuers in a broad range of sectors.  Currently, Envoy’s Merchant Banking Division is focused on the North American exchanges (e.g. NYSE, NASDAQ, TSX, AMEX), due to the liquidity and stability that those investments provide.  In the future, Envoy Monaco will start to focus on leveraging value investments on European exchanges as well as private companies in Europe.

Government Regulations:
 
The banking and financial industry is one of the most regulated industries in the world.  The Company is required to adhere to extensive rules and regulations governing both financial services and securities exchanges. Recent changes to federal law and regulation have opened up new opportunities for foreign banks to operate in Canada, encouraged the start up of new banks with new ownership rules, and given certain non-bank financial institutions direct access to the payments system. Many of the old barriers prohibiting financial institutions from competing in each other’s business have disappeared over the past 15 years.
 

C.          Organizational Structure
 
Envoy has operations in Monaco, the United States and Canada.  Envoy owns 100% of Watt International Inc. and 99.8% of Envoy Capital Group Monaco, S.A.M., its’ two operating subsidiaries.
 
 
D.          Property, Plants and Equipment
 
Envoy currently operates offices in the principality of Monaco and in Toronto, Canada. The terms of our principal leases are as follows:
 
Envoy’s principal executive offices consist of approximately 1,600 square feet located at 30 St. Patrick St., Ste. 301, Toronto, Ontario. These premises have been leased pursuant to a lease with a term that commenced on April 1, 2009 and expires in March 2014 at a current annual rent of $52,200.  Envoy has an option to terminate the lease on or after March 31, 2012, upon payment of a penalty in the amount of $1,000 for each month remaining on the lease at the time of cancellation.
 
The offices of Envoy’s wholly owned subsidiary, Watt International, consist of an office building of approximately 26,600 square feet located at 300 Bayview, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The premises are leased pursuant to a lease with a current annual rent of $466,836 that expires in March 2010.
 
The offices of Envoy Monaco consist of approximately 900 square feet located at Les Abeilles, 7 Boulevard d’Italie, 8th floor, Monte Carlo, Monaco.   These premises have been leased pursuant to lease with a term that commenced on April 1, 2009 and expires March 31, 2012, at a current annual rent of €38,400 (Cdn. $62,511).  The lease may be terminated on the first and second anniversary dates with three months written notice.
 
In September 2006, Envoy sold all the shares of its United Kingdom subsidiaries, and has no further lease obligations in the United Kingdom.
 
Item 4A:   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 5:   Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the Consolidated Financial Statements of Envoy and the Notes relating thereto, included as item 17 in this Form 20-F. The information contained in this Item 5 refers to Financial Statements of Envoy, which are presented in Canadian dollars and are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP.

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Canadian GAAP differs in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP is set forth in Note 24 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Historical results of operations, percentage relationships and any trends that may be inferred there from are not necessarily indicative of the operating results of any future period.

Overview
 
Net Revenue
 
The Company presents as net revenue fee income earned as compensation for its services, net of pass through costs.  Further, the balance sheet reflects the following:

(i)
deferred revenue representing fees billed and collected in advance of such fees being earned;
 
(ii)
unbilled accounts receivable representing fees earned but not yet billed as well as well as reimbursable pass-through costs; and

(iii)
work in process represents costs incurred on projects for which revenue has not yet been recognized for accounting purposes.

Included in work in process are charges for staff time at standard cost and third party charges. The standard cost rate provides for the recovery of actual labour and overhead costs incurred.

Net revenue represents the Company's compensation for its non-agency services and is recognized only when collection of such net revenue is probable.    The Company's non-agency projects are short-term in nature. Fees earned for non-agency services are recognized either upon the performance of the Company’s services when the Company earns a per-diem fee, or in the case of a fixed fee, when the Company’s services are substantially complete and accepted by the client.  Fees earned but not yet billed are included in accounts receivable.  Fees billed to clients in excess of fees recognized as net revenue are classified as deferred revenue.

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis.  Changes in fair value of held-for-trading investments are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and are calculated on an average cost basis.  Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.  Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.

Operating Expenses
 
Salaries and benefits, general and administrative expenses and occupancy costs represent our operating expenses. Salaries and benefits expenses include salaries, employee benefits, incentive compensation, contract labour and other payroll related costs, which are expensed as incurred. General and administrative costs include business development, office costs, technology, professional services and foreign exchange. Occupancy costs represent the costs of leasing and maintaining company premises.

Tax Matters
 
With respect to Envoy’s 2009 fiscal year, Envoy had tax loss carry forwards sufficient to cover its Canadian income tax liabilities and has approximately $26.8 million in loss carry forwards. Details on income taxes are set forth in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

17


A.  Operating Results
 
Net revenue from the continuing operations for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 was $12.3 million, compared to $11.3 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2008, an increase of $1.0 million.  The increase was a combination of improved returns in the merchant banking segment, offset partially by diminished revenue in the Consumer and Retail branding segment  Investment gains for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 were $0.6 million compared to losses of ($4.3) million in the same period last year.
 
Salaries expense for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009, was $12.7 million, compared to $12.8 million in the twelve months ended September 30, 2008, a decrease of $0.1 million.  The labour to net revenue ratio for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 was 103.1%, compared to 113.8% in the twelve months ended September 30, 2008.   The improvement in the salary ratio was due to an increase in the revenue base as a result of improved performance in the merchant banking segment.

Occupancy costs increased to $0.9 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009, from $0.6 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2008 an increase of $0.3 million.  The occupancy cost to net revenue ratio was 6.9% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 4.6% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2008, due to one-time costs for the new office in Monaco and the closure of the office in Dubai.

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by management in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada, which vary in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.  A description of the significant differences, as applicable to the Company, is included in note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

18


SELECTED ANNUAL INFORMATION

   
Fiscal 2009
   
Fiscal 2008
   
Fiscal 2007
 
                   
Net revenue
 
$12.3 million
   
$11.3 million
   
$17.6 million
 
                   
Net (loss) earnings:
                 
From continuing operations
 
(10.5) million
   
(10.2) million
   
2.6 million
 
From discontinued operations
    -       -    
0.4 million
 
Total
 
(10.5) million
   
(10.2) million
   
3.0 million
 
                       
Net (loss) earnings per share
                     
Total
                     
Basic
  $ (1.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.23  
Diluted
  $ (1.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.23  
                         
From continuing operations
                       
Basic
  $ (1.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.20  
Diluted
  $ (1.22 )   $ (1.11 )   $ 0.20  
                         
From discontinued operations
                       
Basic
 
$nil
   
$nil
    $ 0.03  
Diluted
 
$nil
   
$nil
    $ 0.03  
                         

 
As at:
   
Sep 30, 2009
     
   Sep 30, 2008
     
                           Sep 30, 2007
 
                         
Total assets
   
$23.6 million
     
$36.5 million
     
$50.8 million
 
                         
Total long-term financial liabilities
   
$nil
     
$nil
     
$0.1 million
 
                         
Cash dividends declared
   
$nil
     
$nil
     
$nil
 

 
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009, COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

On a consolidated basis, the net loss for the year ended September 30, 2009 was ($10.5) million compared to a net loss of ($10.2) million for the year ended September 30, 2008. On a fully diluted per share basis the net loss for fiscal year 2009 was ($1.22) per share compared to ($1.11) in fiscal 2008.
 
Consumer and Retail Branding Segment

Net revenue for the Branding segment represents compensation for services rendered, net of any pass-through costs such as production costs incurred on behalf of clients in acting as agent for them.
 
Net revenue for the year ended September 30, 2009 was $11.7 million, compared to $15.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, an decrease of $3.8 million.  The main reason for the decrease was reduced client spending.

The geographical breakdown of net revenue is as follows:

   
Net revenue for the year ended September 30
 (in millions)
 
By customer location:
 
2009
   
% of total
   
2008
   
% of total
 
USA and South America
  $ 4.9       42 %   $ 6.4       41 %
Canada
    4.7       40 %     5.3       34 %
Middle East and Asia
    2.1       18 %     3.8       25 %
    $ 11.7       100 %   $ 15.5       100 %

Net revenue from the U.S. and South American based customers declined to $4.9 million in fiscal 2009 from $6.4 million in fiscal 2008, a reduction of $1.5 million,  as many of the retail clients scaled back on spending during a year that was largely affected by the economic downturn.   Net revenue from Canadian customers declined to $4.7 million in 2009 from $5.3 million in 2008 for many of the same reasons. Net revenue from the Middle East and Asia region decreased $1.7 million in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008, primarily as a result of this region being affected by a slowing economy as large scale projects were put on hold or delayed indefinitely.

Revenue from the Middle East and Asia region is expected to decline significantly going forward as a result of the Company’s decision to close the Dubai branch in late fiscal 2009.  Signs of economic distress began to show in the region toward the end of the first quarter, considerably later than other regions of the globe.  Initially, it was thought that the unique nature of the region might insulate it somewhat from the problems elsewhere, however, once the downturn began, it spread rapidly to all sectors in the region.  Payments from clients slowed significantly and plans were curtailed on almost all projects on which the Company was working.  It became clear that the problems were unlikely to be short term in nature.  New business slowed to a halt and focus turned to collection of outstanding receivables.  By the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 it became apparent that it was no longer economically viable for the Company to continue to staff and operate a branch office in Dubai and the decision was made to terminate the staff and close the office.  The impact of closing the office has been fully reflected in the financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2009.

20


Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and goodwill impairment, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 were $13.0 million compared with $13.5 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2008, a decrease of $0.5 million.  Expressed as a percentage of revenue operating expenses were 110.8% this year compared to 87.3% last year.

Management made a decision to write down the goodwill associated with the Consumer and Retail branding division to nil at the end of fiscal 2009.  The impairment testing conducted at year end suggested that the fair value of the unit no longer supported the carrying value of goodwill.  While the closure of the Dubai branch was a factor in the evaluation, there became additional concerns regarding the health of the North American operations.  Given market conditions and the continued reluctance on the part of customers to increase their spending, it was management’s opinion that there was no remaining value related to goodwill.  While we are cautiously optimistic that we are nearing the end of the economic down cycle, the uncertainty surrounding key aspects of the business require that a conservative approach be taken with respect to goodwill.

Salaries and benefits expenses for the current fiscal year were $10.2 million compared to $10.9 million last year, a decrease of $0.7 million or 6.4%.  The decrease in these costs was a result of the reduction in staff as management worked on bringing labour costs down in reaction to declining revenues. Salaries and benefits expense as a percent of net revenue was 87.3% for the fiscal year 2009 compared to 70.7% in the prior year.  The relative reduction in salaries and benefits is smaller than the decline in net revenue for the same period mainly as a result of the lag effect of staff reductions in response to declining revenues.  As most of the staff are full-time, fixed salary personnel, revenue fluctuations must be seen to be more than temporary before adjusting staff levels in order to minimize hiring or termination costs.   Included in salaries and benefits for fiscal 2009 are severance costs of approximately $0.4 million.  Salaries cost are continually monitored to align costs with current and expected revenues.

General and administrative expenses were $1.8 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $1.7 million for twelve months ended September 30, 2008, an increase of $0.1 million.  Losses on foreign currency translation due to a weaker U.S. dollar were approximately $0.3 million in fiscal 2009 compared to almost nil in fiscal 2008.  This offset the decrease of approximately $0.2 million in the other general and administration expenses for fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008.  General and administration expenses as a percent of net revenue were 15.4% for the current year compared to 11.0% last year.  The Company continues to focus on ways to reduce or eliminate discretionary expenses while balancing the need to maintain the quality of its service while investing to grow its net revenue.

Occupancy costs for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 were $0.9 million, compared to $0.8 million for the same period last year.  The increase was as a result of additional charges related to closing the office in Dubai. Occupancy costs as a percent of net revenue were 7.8% this year compared to 5.4% last year.

21


Depreciation expense for the year ended September 30, 2009 and year ended September 30, 2008 was $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Interest expense was nil for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 compared to minimal interest income for the same period last year

Pre-tax loss from the Branding segment was ($6.0) million in fiscal 2009 compared to pre-tax earnings of $1.6 million in fiscal 2008.

Merchant Banking Segment

Investment income from Merchant Banking activities includes realized and unrealized gains and losses from the Company’s investments plus interest and dividend income earned during the period.

The Merchant Banking segment experienced net investment gains of approximately $0.6 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009, compared to net investment losses of ($4.3) million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2008.  The Company came into fiscal 2009 with a conservative investment portfolio allocation.  This proved to be a prudent strategy as the market turmoil which began in the summer of 2008, continued through the fall and into the new year.  By contrast, the late second quarter and early third quarter saw markets improve considerably, whereby the conservative approach to investment became a less productive strategy and returns suffered compared to the overall market.  Despite the lower-than-average capital employed, the Merchant Banking segment still outperformed relative to the major indices for the fiscal year period.  Investment gains going forward will continue to be a function of general market and economic conditions as well as the success of individual securities selected for investment.  Accordingly, the income generated from such investment activity is unlikely to be consistent from period to period.

For the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 the Company recognized gains attributable to the sale of marketable securities or adjustments to market value of $0.3 million. For the same period last year, the Company recognized losses of ($4.9) million.  Interest and dividend income for the Merchant Banking segment for the fiscal year 2009 was approximately $0.3 million, compared to $0.7 million last year.  Interest earned for the period was largely attributable to cash held in short term interest bearing corporate notes or discount securities.

For the twelve months ended September 30, 2009, the Company generated a return of 2.7% compared to last year when the Company experienced a negative return of (12.2%) on its invested capital.  Investment returns were significantly impacted by the unsettled nature of worldwide stock markets.  Late in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, domestic, U.S. and international markets began a slide which continued through the end of second quarter of fiscal 2009.  Management made a decision early in the downturn to preserve capital by divesting from much of its liquid holdings and was able to mitigate a good portion of the potential downside.  Part of that strategy in fiscal 2009 involved the use of put option derivatives to take advantage of the perceived risk.  The historically large premium values on the put options were attractive as a lower risk method to re-deploy capital in the market.  However, while the Company was able to earn the bulk of the option premiums as the markets moved up in mid 2009, the reduced exposure to long positions lowered the overall return on the portfolio.  In comparison to other widely-used benchmarks the Company outperformed for the year, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost (10.5%) over the Company’s fiscal year period, while the S&P 500 and TSX lost (9.3%) and (0.9%), respectively.

22


Operating expenses for the Merchant Banking business are comprised largely of salaries and benefits.  Total operating expenses for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 were approximately $2.3 million, compared to $1.5 million for the same period last year.  Approximately $0.3 million of the increased costs for fiscal 2009 are the result of certain compensation components being reclassified from general and administrative expenses due to changes in executive contracts.  In addition there were one-time start-up costs for the Monaco subsidiary, and higher overall costs as a result of an increase in foreign currency rates.

Fiscal 2009 pre tax loss from the Merchant Banking segment totaled approximately ($1.7) million, compared to a loss of ($5.7) million last year.

Corporate

Corporate expenses include salaries and benefits for the accounting, financial and administrative functions of Envoy.  In addition, the corporate expenses include the costs of regulatory compliance such as audit and legal expenses, listing fees and shareholder relations.  Credit amounts generated by the corporate segment relate to a recovery in excess of actual costs as a result of subleasing excess space at the Company’s corporate office.   As the Company has relocated its corporate office, there will be no further sublease arrangement and related credits going forward. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 these expenses, excluding depreciation, totaled approximately $1.5 million, compared to approximately $2.0 million in the prior year.

Income Taxes

Given the current operating loss, along with the uncertainty surrounding investment markets going forward, the Company has increased its valuation allowance on its future tax assets to reduce the value of the asset to nil.  As a result of the valuation allowance, the current value of the tax asset reflects management’s assessment of those timing differences and loss carryforwards which are more likely than not to be used in future periods.  Income tax expense for the year was $1.0 million.  All of the expense is a result of a revaluation of the Company’s future tax asset.

Income from discontinued operations

Income from discontinued operations represents income from Envoy’s UK subsidiaries which were disposed of in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. The income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes and minority interests, for the fiscal years 2009 and 2008 was $nil and for the fiscal year 2007 was approximately $0.4 million. Income from discontinued operations in fiscal 2007 represents the settlement of potential liabilities more favourably than expected.

23


Discontinued operations as detailed in note 23 to the Financial Statements as follows:
                   
Fiscal year:
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Net revenue
  $       $ -     $ -  
                         
Operating expenses
    -       -       -  
Interest income
    -       -       -  
Depreciation
    -       -       -  
Income tax expense
    -       -       -  
                         
Earnings from discontinued operations (excluding gain on sale)
    -       -       -  
                         
Minority interest
    -       -       -  
                         
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
    -       -       375,514  
                         
Earnings from discontinued operations
  $ -     $ -     $ 375,514  

 
Net earnings (loss)
 
Net loss for the twelve months ended September 30, 2009 was ($10.5) million, compared to a loss of ($10.2) million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2008.  On a per share basis the net loss in the current year was ($1.22) per share compared to ($1.11) last year.
 
The earnings per share calculations are based on fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 8,558,466 this year compared to 9,122,688 last year.
 
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009, COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

On a consolidated basis, the net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was ($6.4) million, compared to a net loss of ($8.3) million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.  Excluding the impact of goodwill impairment and valuation allowances related to future tax assets, the net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was ($1.0) million, compared to ($4.6) million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
 
Consumer and Retail Branding Segment

Net revenue for the Branding segment represents compensation for services rendered, net of any pass-through costs such as production costs incurred on behalf of clients in acting as agent for them.
 
Net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $1.6 million, compared to $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 54.3%.  The principal reason for the decrease in net revenue from last year to this year was reduced client spending.

24


The breakdown of net revenue is as follows:

   
Net revenue for the three months ended September 30
 (in millions)
 
By customer location:
 
2009
   
% of total
   
2008
   
% of total
 
USA and South America
  $ 0.8       50 %   $ 1.5       44 %
Canada
    0.5       33 %     1.3       37 %
Middle East and Asia
    0.3       17 %     0.7       19 %
    $ 1.6       100 %   $ 3.5       100 %

 
Net revenue from U.S. and South American customers decreased by approximately $0.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to the same period last year, while net revenue from the Canadian based customers decreased by $0.8 million.  Net revenue from the Middle East and Asia region decreased $0.4 million compared to the same period last year.  As discussed in the full year results, the Company made the decision to close the Dubai branch in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.  As a result, revenue from the Middle East and Asia region will likely be significantly lower in future periods.
 
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and goodwill impairment, for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $2.3 million, compared to $3.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, mainly due to reduced labour costs.  Expressed as a percentage of revenue, operating expenses were 146.7% this year compared to 99.2% last year.

Salaries and benefits expenses for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $1.8 million compared to $2.9 million for the fourth quarter last year, a decrease of $1.1 million or 37.9%.  Salaries and benefits levels decreased as a result of staff reductions related to the decrease in revenue.  Salaries and benefits expense as a percent of net revenue was 111.4% for this year’s fourth quarter compared to 83.1% for the same period last year.
General and administrative expenses were $0.3 million in the current quarter compared to $0.4 million in the same period last year. General and administrative expenses as a percent of net revenue were 19.2% for this year’s fourth quarter compared to 11.1% in the same period last year.

Occupancy costs for both the current quarter were $0.3 million compared to $0.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.  Occupancy costs as a percent of net revenue were 16.0% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to 5.9% in the same period last year.

Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and three months ended September 30, 2008 was $0.1 million.
 
There was a no interest income or expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and a small amount of interest income for the same period last year.

Pre-tax losses from the Branding segment were ($5.2) million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to ($0.1) million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.  Excluding goodwill impairment, pre-tax losses from the Branding segment were ($0.8) million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

25


Merchant Banking Segment

For the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2009 the Merchant Banking segment generated net investment gains of $0.8 million, compared to investment losses of ($3.8) million in the same period last year.  As financial markets improved considerably in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Merchant Banking segment was able to generate acceptable returns on its invested assets.  The Company continues to maintain an overall relatively conservative strategy as management feels there may still be considerable ongoing volatility, given that the economic stimulus employed by governments around the world to assist in recovery were of historic proportions.  While the Company believes that the economy is on its way to recovery, there will likely be some lingering effects for the next several quarters.  Management will continue to employ a blended strategy of long positions and related derivatives in an attempt to maximize returns while limiting downside risk.

Operating expenses for the Merchant Banking business were comprised largely of salaries and benefits.  Total operating expenses for the quarter were approximately $0.5 million, compared to $0.2 million for the same period last year.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 pre tax income from the Merchant Banking business totaled approximately $0.3 million, compared to pre-tax losses of ($4.0) million in the same period last year.

Corporate

Corporate expenses include salaries and benefits for the accounting, financial and administrative functions of Envoy.  In addition, the corporate expenses include the costs of regulatory compliance such as audit and legal expenses, listing fees and shareholder relations.  During the current quarter and the same period last year, these expenses totaled approximately $0.5 million.

Income Taxes

The income tax expense for the period was $1.0 million.  The reason for the disparity from the substantially enacted tax rate of 32% was an adjustment to the value of the future tax asset based on the Company’s results for the fourth quarter along with the overall volatility in the market and economic uncertainty at year end.  The current value of the future tax asset reflects management’s assessment of those timing differences and loss carryforwards which are more likely than not to be used in future periods.

Net loss
 
Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was ($6.4) million, compared to a loss of ($8.3) million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  On a per share basis the net loss in the current quarter was ($0.74) per share compared to ($0.95) last year. The earnings per share calculations are based on fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 8,558,377 for the current quarter compared to 8,688,245 in the same period last year.

26


 SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

      Q4 2009       Q3 2009       Q2 2009       Q1 2009  
                                 
Net revenue
 
$2.4 million
   
$2.9 million
   
$3.3 million
   
$3.7 million
 
                                 
Net loss:
                               
From continuing operations
 
($6.38) million
   
($1.81) million
   
($1.24) million
   
($1.04) million
 
Including discontinued operations
 
($6.38) million
   
($1.81) million
   
($1.24) million
   
($1.04) million
 
                                 
Net loss per share:
                               
From continuing operations
                               
Basic
  $ (0.74 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.12 )
Diluted
  $ (0.74 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.12 )
Including discontinued operations
                               
Basic
  $ (0.74 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.12 )
Diluted
  $ (0.74 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.12 )

      Q4 2008       Q3 2008       Q2 2008       Q1 2008  
                                 
Net revenue
 
($0.3) million
   
$3.5 million
   
$3.3 million
   
$4.7 million
 
                                 
Net earnings (loss):
                               
From continuing operations
 
($8.25) million
   
($1.28) million
   
($0.98) million
   
$0.36 million
 
Including discontinued operations
 
($8.25) million
   
($1.28) million
   
($0.98) million
   
$0.36 million
 
                                 
Net earnings (loss) per share:
                               
From continuing operations
                               
Basic
  $ (0.95 )   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.04  
Diluted
  $ (0.95 )   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.04  
Including discontinued operations
                               
Basic
  $ (0.95 )   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.04  
Diluted
  $ (0.95 )   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.04  
 
27


RECONCILIATION TO U.S. GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Summary of material adjustments to net (loss) earnings for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 required to conform to US GAAP.  Detailed information can be found in note 24 to the Financial Statements.
                   
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Net (loss) earnings - Canadian GAAP
  $ (10,475,810 )   $ (10,158,145 )   $ 3,016,719  
Cash held in escrow
    -       2,803,549       (103,549 )
Capitalized incorporation costs
    -       66,339       (66,339 )
Income recognized on reclassification of investments
    -       -       77,416  
Gains on privately-held securities
    -       -       (1,147,500 )
Fair value adjustment on restricted securities
    (283,411 )     1,619,615       -  
Net (loss) earnings based on U.S. GAAP
  $ (10,759,221 )   $ (5,668,642 )   $ 1,776,747  
                         
Net (loss) earnings from continuing operations
  $ (10,759,221 )   $ (8,472,191 )   $ 1,401,233  
Net earnings from discontinued operations (Note 23)
  $ -     $ 2,803,549     $ 375,514  
 

 
The following adjustments are required in order to conform total assets based on Canadian GAAP to total assets based on U.S. GAAP:
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Total assets based on Canadian GAAP
  $ 23,595,204     $ 36,482,044  
Fair value adjustment on restricted securities
    188,704       472,115  
Total assets based on U.S. GAAP
  $ 23,783,908     $ 36,954,159  
 
The following adjustments are required in order to conform shareholders’ equity based on Canadian GAAP to shareholders’ equity based on U.S. GAAP:
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Shareholders’ equity based on Canadian GAAP
  $ 21,624,034     $ 32,159,321  
Fair value adjustment on restricted securities
    188,704       472,115  
Shareholders’ equity based on U.S. GAAP
  $ 21,812,738     $ 32,631,436  

The Company's comprehensive income represents U.S. GAAP net earnings plus the results of certain changes in shareholders’ equity during a period from non-owner sources that are not reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
                   
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Net (loss) earnings for the year in accordance with U.S. GAAP
  $ (10,759,221 )   $ (5,668,642 )   $ 1,776,747  
                         
Less:  reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income
    -       -       (242,378 )
                         
Change in cumulative translation adjustment account
    -       76,519       (25,514 )
    $ (10,759,221 )   $ (5,592,123 )   $ 1,508,855  

 
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

As at September 30, 2009, Envoy had working capital of $19.5 million, compared to September 30, 2008, when it had a working capital of $24.5 million. Included in working capital is an investment portfolio of marketable securities, the current portion of which was $5.1 million at September 30, 2009 and $14.4 million at September 30, 2008.   The principal reasons for the decrease were the conscious decision by the Company to maintain a large portion of its capital in cash, as well as the deterioration in market value of the investments.

Approximately $9.2 million in cash was generated from operations during the twelve months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $5.3 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2008.  The main sources of funds were the collection of accounts receivable and the sale of investments held for trading.  The accounts receivable balance at September 30, 2008 was particularly high due to several large invoices not collected until October 2009.

In recent prior years, the Company has used significant working capital to repurchase shares of the Company pursuant to the normal course issuer bid.   In fiscal 2009, it was determined that the working capital would be better used elsewhere.  Purchases under the issuer bid were $2.9 million in fiscal 2008 and only $0.1 million in fiscal 2009.

The Company used funds not otherwise invested in the market to pay down its operating line of credit in fiscal 2009 in order to minimize interest charges.  The revolving credit facility is available up to a maximum of $1.0 million.  At September 30, 2009, there were no borrowings under the credit facility.

Despite the current economic conditions, the Company has access to significant liquid capital resources and is not exposed to any investments with distressed credit.
 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The significant accounting policies used by Envoy in preparing its Financial Statements are described in Note 2 to the Financial Statements and should be read to ensure a proper understanding and evaluation of the estimates and judgements made by management in preparing those Financial Statements.  Envoy’s Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.  Envoy also prepared a reconciliation to United States generally accepted accounting principles, which is included in Note 24 to the Financial Statements.
 

Inherent in the application of some of these policies is the judgment by management as to which of the various methods allowed under generally accepted accounting principles is the most appropriate to apply in the case of Envoy.  As well, management must take appropriate estimates at the time the Financial Statements are prepared.
 
Although all of the policies identified in Note 2 to the Financial Statements are important in understanding the Financial Statements, the policies discussed below are considered by management to be central to understanding the Financial Statements, because of the higher level of measurement uncertainties involved in their application.
 
Goodwill

Goodwill represents the price paid for acquisitions in excess of the fair market value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired.  Goodwill is carried at cost, less impairment losses if any.

The Company uses a two-step impairment test on an annual basis, or when significant business changes have occurred that may have had an adverse impact on the fair value of the goodwill.  To determine whether impairment has occurred, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying amounts, including goodwill.  When the fair value is in excess of its carrying amount, the goodwill is not considered to be impaired, and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary.

When the carrying amount of the reporting unit as determined in the first step exceeds the fair value, then the fair value of the goodwill is determined in the same manner as followed on a business combination.    An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of the goodwill of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value.  It is not reversed in the event that the fair value subsequently increases.

Income Taxes
 
Envoy accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  Under this method, future income taxes are recognized at the enacted or substantially enacted tax rate expected to be applicable at the anticipated date of the reversal for all significant temporary differences between the tax and accounting bases of assets and liabilities and for certain tax carryforward items.  Future income tax assets and liabilities are recognized only to the extent that, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the future income tax assets will be realized.  Future operating results and future tax rates could vary materially, and accordingly the value of income tax assets and liabilities could change by material amounts.
 
30


Revenue Recognition – Branding segment

The Company presents as net revenue its net commission and fee income earned as compensation for its services.  Further, the balance sheet reflects the following:
 
 
(i)
deferred revenue representing fees billed and collected in advance of such fees being earned;
 
 
(ii)
unbilled accounts receivable representing fees earned but not yet billed as well as well as reimbursable pass-through costs; and
 
(iii)
   work in process represents costs incurred on projects for which revenue has not yet     been recognized for accounting purposes.
 
Included in work in process are charges for staff time at standard cost and third party charges. The standard cost rate provides for the recovery of actual labour and overhead costs incurred. The third party charges are for actual costs related to outsourced goods and services for specific projects.
 
The Company recognizes net revenue and profits for Consumer and Retail Branding on the completed contract basis, and accordingly revenue and profit are recognized only when the contract or contract milestone is substantially complete.  Anticipated losses are provided for when the estimate of total costs on a contract indicates a loss.

Net revenue for the Consumer and Retail Branding segment represents compensation for services rendered, net of any pass-through costs such as production costs incurred on behalf of clients in acting as agent for them.  In circumstances where the Company retains subcontractors, such as architects or engineers, to perform services as an agent to the Company, the revenue for such services is included in net revenue and the cost of the subcontractor’s services is included in salaries and benefits expense or general and administrative expenses, as appropriate.

Revenue Recognition – Merchant banking segment
 
Securities transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis.  Changes in fair value of held-for-trading investments are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.  Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.  Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.

Financial Instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recognized at fair value and their subsequent measurement is dependent on their classification as described below.  Their classification depends on the purpose for which the financial instruments were acquired or issued, their characteristics and the Company’s designation of such instruments.  The standards require that all financial assets be classified either as held-for-trading (“HFT”), available-for-sale (“AFS”), held-to-maturity (“HTM”), or loans and receivables.  The standards require that all financial assets, including all derivatives, be measured at fair value with the exception of loans and receivables, debt securities classified as HTM, and AFS financial assets that do not have quoted market prices in an active market.

HFT financial assets are financial assets typically acquired for resale prior to maturity.  They are measured at fair value at the balance sheet date.  Interest and dividends earned, gains and losses realized on disposal and unrealized gains and losses from market fluctuations are included in net revenue for the period.

HTM financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and a fixed maturity, other than loans and receivables that an entity has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity.  These financial assets are measured at amortized cost.

31


AFS financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets that are designated as AFS, or that are not classified as loans and receivables, HTM investments or HFT.  AFS financial assets are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) until realized when the cumulative gain or loss is recognized in net income.

Loans and receivables are accounted for at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
At each financial reporting period, the Company’s management estimates the fair value of investments based on the criteria below and reflects such valuations in the consolidated financial statements.

 
(i) Publicly-traded investments:

Securities which are traded on a recognized securities exchange and for which no sales restrictions apply are recorded at fair values based on quoted market prices at the consolidated balance sheet dates or the closing price on the last day the security traded if there were no trades at the consolidated balance sheet dates.

Securities which are traded on a recognized securities exchange but which are escrowed or otherwise restricted as to sale or transfer may be recorded at amounts discounted from market value. In determining whether a discount is appropriate for such investments, the Company considers the nature and length of the restriction, the business risk of the investee company, its stage of development, market potential, relative trading volume and price volatility and any other factors that may be relevant to the ongoing and realizable value of the investments.

 
(ii) Privately-held investments:

Securities in privately-held companies designated as HFT are recorded at fair value based on objective evidence including recent arm’s length transactions between knowledgeable, willing parties, such as significant subsequent equity financing by an unrelated, professional investor, discounted cash flow analysis, operational results, forecasts and other developments since acquisition.

Discontinued operations

The results of operations of a business that has either been disposed of, or is held for sale, is reported as discontinued operations if the operations and cash flows of the component have been (or will be) eliminated from the Company’s ongoing operations, and the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal transaction. The results of discontinued operations, less applicable taxes are reported as a separate element of income or loss before extraordinary items for both current and prior periods.

32


Recently Adopted Accounting Policies

Effective October 1, 2007, the Company adopted prospectively the following Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ Handbook (“CICA Handbook”) new accounting standards for interim and annual financial statements for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2007:

(i) CICA Handbook Section 1535, Capital Disclosures, which requires the disclosure of both qualitative and quantitative information that enables users of financial statements to evaluate the entity's objectives, policies and processes for managing capital including disclosures of any externally imposed capital requirements and the consequences of noncompliance;

(ii) CICA Handbook Section 3862, Financial Instruments – Disclosure, which requires disclosure of information related to the significance of financial instruments to a company’s financial position and performance. A company is also required to disclose information related to the risks of its use of financial instruments and how those risks are managed;

(iii) CICA Handbook Section 3863, Financial Instruments – Presentation, which establishes standards for presentation of financial instruments. It deals with the presentation of financial instruments and the circumstances in which financial assets and financial liabilities are offset. Effective October 1, 2008, the Company adopted prospectively CICA Handbook Section 3064, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, which clarifies that costs can be deferred only when they relate to an item that meets the definition of an asset. As a result, start-up costs must be expensed as incurred.  Section 1000, Financial Statement Concepts, was also amended to provide consistency with this new standard.

Also on October 1, 2008, the Company adopted prospectively CICA Handbook Section 3031, “Inventories”, which sets forth the requirements for measuring and presenting inventories. It requires the measurement of inventories at the lower of cost and net realizable value and includes guidance on the determination of cost, including allocation of overhead and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

The initial adoption of these standards did not have a material effect on the financial position or earnings of the Company.

IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

On February 13, 2008 the Canadian Accounting Standards Board (“AcSB”) confirmed January 1, 2011 as the official changeover date for publicly listed Canadian companies to start using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The transition will affect interim and annual financial statements relating to years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. Management has commenced its IFRS conversion project, which consists of several phases, commencing with a review of the Company’s significant accounting policies relative to current and proposed IFRS.   Management has completed its assessment of the differences between IFRS and Canadian GAAP and is currently in the process of assessing the impact IFRS has on accounting policies and implementation decisions; information technology and data systems; financial statement presentation and disclosures; internal control over financial reporting; disclosure controls and procedures and all business activities. Following this assessment, an implementation plan will be developed to transition the Company’s financial reporting process, including internal controls and information systems to IFRS.  The impact these differences may have on the financial results has not yet been determined and will be an ongoing process as the International Accounting Standards Board and the AcSB issue new standards and recommendations.

33


In January 2009, the CICA issued Handbook Section 1601, “Consolidated Financial Statements”, and Section 1602, “Non-controlling Interests”, which together replace Section 1600, “Consolidated Financial Statements”. Section 1601 establishes standards for the preparation of consolidated financial statements. Section 1602 establishes standards for accounting for a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary in consolidated financial statements subsequent to a business combination. It is equivalent to the corresponding provisions of International Accounting Standard 27 (Revised), “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements”. These changes are effective for interim and annual financial statements beginning on January 1, 2011. Earlier adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of these new accounting standards on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a standard that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements.  The standard requires companies to disclose the fair value of their financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (i.e., levels 1, 2, and 3, as defined). Additionally, companies are required to provide enhanced disclosure regarding instruments in the level 3 category, including a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances separately for each major category of assets and liabilities.  The standard became effective for the Company’s fiscal year that began on October 1, 2008.  Other than the additional disclosure requirements, the adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2008, the FASB issued changes to fair value accounting, which permits a one-year deferral of the application of fair value measurements for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).  The guidance partially defers the effective date of fair value measurement to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years for items within the scope of this change.  Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued a standard regarding business combinations. This standard establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer in a business combination (i) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, (ii) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and (iii) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and, as such, the Company will adopt this standard in fiscal 2010. The impact of the standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements will be dependent upon the number of and magnitude of the acquisitions that are consummated once the pronouncement is effective.

34


In December 2007, the FASB issued a standard on the accounting for noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The standard clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary (minority interest) is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent company’s equity. Among other requirements, this statement requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of operations, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest.  This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company will adopt this standard in fiscal 2010, which will require retrospective application of the presentation and disclosure requirements of this standard for all of the Company’s minority interest.

In April 2009, FASB issued changes regarding interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments.  The changes enhance consistency in financial reporting by increasing the frequency of fair value disclosures from annually to quarterly.  The changes require disclosures on a quarterly basis of qualitative and quantitative information about fair value estimates for all those financial instruments not measured on the balance sheet at fair value. The disclosure requirements are effective beginning with the first interim reporting period ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of these changes is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2009, the FASB issued a standard related to subsequent events.  The standard is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 and establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.  Entities are also required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated and the basis for that date.  The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of these financial statements, December 16, 2009.

In June 2009, the FASB issued the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”). The Codification became the single source for all authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied for financial statements issued for periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Codification does not change GAAP and did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued a standard which will be effective for all variable interest entities and relationships with variable interest entities existing as of January 1, 2010.  This standard amends previous guidance to require an enterprise to determine whether its variable interest or interest give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity.  The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is the enterprise that has both (1) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity.  This standard also amends previous guidance to require ongoing reassessments of whether and enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity.  Management is currently evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this standard will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

35


FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements in this annual report on Form 20-F that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements represent Envoy’s intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Envoy. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not restricted to the timing and size of contracts, acquisitions and other corporate developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; market competition in our industry; general economic and business conditions, foreign exchange and other risks identified in the MD&A, in this Annual Report or Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), or Envoy’s Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities authorities. The words “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “foresee”, “plan”, and similar expressions identify certain of such forward looking statements, which are valid only as of the date on which they are made. In particular, statements relating to future growth are forward looking statements. Envoy disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements

C.            Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
 
Not applicable.
 
D.            Trend Information
 
Not applicable.

E.            Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
None.

F.  Commitments and Contractual Commitments
 
Set out below is a summary of the amounts due and committed under contractual cash obligations at September 30, 2009:
 
   
Total
   
Due in year 1
   
Due in year 2
   
Due in year 3
 
                         
Operating leases
  $ 568,345     $ 393,593     $ 89,186     $ 85,566  
Long term debt
    -       -       -       -  
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 568,345     $ 393,593     $ 89,186     $ 85,566  
 
36


G.  Safe Harbor
 
See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the introduction to this Form 20-F.

Item 6:   Directors and Senior Management and Employees
 
A.            Directors and Senior Management
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the directors and senior managers of Envoy as of November 30, 2009. Each director is elected at the annual meeting of shareholders to serve until the next annual meeting or until a successor is elected or appointed.
 
Name
 
Age
Positions Held with Envoy
   
J. Joseph Leeder
President and Chief Executive Officer
55
 
   
Andrew Patient
Chief Financial Officer
39
 
   
Geoffrey B. Genovese
President and Director, Envoy Capital Group
55
Monaco S.A.M and Director
   
John H. Bailey
Director, Envoy Capital Group
64
Monaco S.A.M and Director
   
David Hull¹ ² ³
Director
53
 
   
Linda Gilbert¹ ² ³
Director
41
 
   
David Parkes¹ ² ³
Director
53
 


¹  Member of the Audit Committee
²  Member of the Compensation Committee
³  Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The principal occupations, business experiences and positions for the past five years and, in certain cases, prior years of the directors and executive officers of Envoy are as follows:

J. Joseph Leeder, CA:  Mr. Leeder joined Envoy in 1998 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Envoy, Mr. Leeder was a partner of KPMG LLP in Canada, an accounting firm, and an Executive Vice President of KPMG Corporate Finance Inc., a subsidiary of KPMG LLP. Mr. Leeder left Envoy on May 30, 2003 and joined USC Forest Group as its Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Leeder rejoined Envoy as Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions on October 24, 2005 and became the Chief Financial Officer on January 1, 2006. On January 1, 2009, Mr. Leeder resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions and was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Envoy.

37


Andrew Patient, CA:  Mr. Patient joined the Envoy group in 2001, initially serving as controller at the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Watt International Inc.  In February 2006, Mr. Patient moved to the corporate head office in the role of Director of Finance, responsible for all aspects of the Company’s financial reporting.  Prior to joining Envoy, Mr. Patient spent six years at BDO Dunwoody LLP in Canada and five years in financial roles at startup internet technology companies in San Diego, CA.  On January 1, 2009, Mr. Patient resigned as Director of Finance and was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Envoy.
 
Geoffrey B. Genovese: Mr. Genovese founded The Incentive Design Company Ltd. (“IDC”), a business and marketing communications company, in 1981. Envoy acquired IDC in July 1991. Mr. Genovese was elected a Director of Envoy in July 1991 and Chairman in September 2001. On January 1, 2009, Mr. Genovese resigned as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Envoy and was appointed a Director and President of Envoy Monaco. Mr. Genovese is Chairman of the Board of Watt International.

John H. Bailey:  Until October of 2008, Mr. Bailey was a lawyer who had been in private practice since 1973. Mr. Bailey earned a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Laws degree from York University. Mr. Bailey has been a Director of Envoy since April 1994, Corporate Secretary since August 1997 and Executive Vice-President since February 2004. On January 1, 2009, Mr. Bailey resigned as Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary and was appointed a Director, Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Envoy Monaco.

David Hull:  Mr. Hull has been the President of Hull Life Insurance Agencies Inc. since May 1991. Hull Life Insurance Agencies Inc. specializes in estate planning and life and disability insurance. Prior thereto, Mr. Hull served as Executive Vice President of Hull Life Insurance Agencies Ltd. and Thomas I. Hull Insurance Ltd., members of The Hull Group of Companies. Mr. Hull has been a Director of Envoy since January 1995 and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Envoy on January 1, 2009.

Linda Gilbert, CA: Ms. Gilbert, a chartered accountant with over 10 years experience working in a public company environment, is currently a consultant to public companies on corporate reporting and compliance issues. Ms. Gilbert previously served as Envoy’s Director of Finance from 1999 to 2003 and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2003 to 2005. Prior to joining Envoy in 1999, Ms. Gilbert was a manager of KPMG LLP in Canada. Ms. Gilbert was appointed a Director of Envoy on August 5, 2009.

David Parkes:  Mr. Parkes is currently working for his Consulting Company David Parkes & Assoc. Mr. Parkes was President and CEO of Freefone Inc. until 2005. Prior to joining Freefone Inc. in 2003, Mr. Parkes founded David Parkes & Assoc. in 2001. Mr. Parkes was President and CEO of Look Communications Inc. until 2001 and President and CEO of TeleSpectrum Canada Inc. until 1999. Mr. Parkes has been a Director of Envoy since October 2002. Mr. Parkes is a director of SelectCore Ltd., a prepaid telecommunications provider based in Ontario, Canada, and Mitec Telecom Inc., a Quebec, Canada based designer and manufacturer of radio and amplifier equipment.

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The Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (“OBCA”) requires that at least 25% of Envoy’s directors be Canadian residents. There are no arrangements or understandings between any director or executive officer of Envoy with major shareholders, customers or others, pursuant to which he or she was selected as such.

There are no family relationships between any of the persons named above.

B.            Compensation
 
The following table sets forth in, Canadian dollars all compensation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 paid to the principal executive officer of Envoy, the principal financial officer of Envoy and the three other most highly compensated officers who served as executive officers of the Company (the “Named Executive Officers”):

 
 
Annual Compensation
 
Long-Term Compensation
 
 
 
 
 
All Other
Compensation
($)
Awards
Payouts
 
 
Name and
Principal
Position
 
 
 
Salary
($)
 
 
 
Bonus
($)
 
 
Other
Annual
($)
Securities
Under
Option/SARs
Granted
(#)
Restricted
Shares or
Restricted
Share Units
($)
 
 
LTIP
Payouts
($)
             
J. Joseph Leeder,
President and Chief Executive Officer
$329,167
---
$18,000
---
---
---
---
               
Andrew Patient,
Chief Financial Officer
$290,000
---
$6,000
 
---
---
---
---
               
Geoffrey B. Genovese,
President and Director, Envoy Capital Group Monaco S.A.M.
$1,172,076 1
---
---
 
---
---
---
---
               
John H. Bailey,
Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Director, Envoy Capital Group Monaco S.A.M.
$545,030 1
---
---
---
---
---
---
               
Patrick Rodmell,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Watt International Inc.
$349,346
$45,000
---
---
---
---
---

Notes:

1.   The compensation of Messrs Genovese and Bailey are paid in Euros. During fiscal 2009, the average rate of exchange for the conversion of one Euro into Canadian dollars was $1.6279 (Cdn $1.00 equals Euro 0.6143).

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There were no options granted under the Stock Option Plan to the Named Executive Officers of the Company in the most recently completed fiscal year.

The following table sets forth options exercised under the Stock Option Plan to the Named Executive Officers of the Company in the most recently completed fiscal year and the value of unexercised options held by them as at the most recent fiscal year:

Stock Options Exercised During 2009 Fiscal Year
 
 
 
Name
 
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
 
Aggregate
Value Realized
($)
Unexercised Options at
FY-End Exercisable/
Unexercisable
(#)
Value of Unexercised In
the Money Options at
 FY-End
Exercisable/Unexercisable
($)
Joseph Leeder
Nil
Nil
nil/nil
nil/nil
         
Andrew Patient
Nil
Nil
nil/nil
nil/nil
         
Geoffrey B. Genovese
Nil
Nil
nil/nil
nil/nil
         
John H. Bailey
Nil
Nil
nil/nil
nil/nil
         
Patrick Rodmell
Nil
Nil
nil/nil
nil/nil


The Company does not provide any pension, retirement plan or other remuneration to its directors or officers that constitutes an expense to the Company.

Employment Contracts and Termination Agreements:
The Company and its subsidiaries, Watt International and Envoy Monaco, have entered into employment contracts with the Named Executive Officers.

Joseph J. Leeder has agreed to act as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer at an annual base salary of $300,000, together with an annual bonus of up to 100% of salary, based on pre-set specific performance criteria approved annually, in advance, by the Compensation Committee. This agreement also provides for a severance payment equal to the greater of $800,000 and two times the total remuneration and other compensation earned by Mr. Leeder during the twelve month fiscal period of the Corporation immediately preceding the date of termination, if Mr. Leeder’s employment is terminated, without cause, by the Corporation. If there is a change of control (as defined) of the Corporation and Mr. Leeder elects to resign within twelve months of the date on which the change of control occurs, Mr. Leeder is entitled to receive a severance payment equal to the same amount to which he would have been entitled if his employment had been terminated by the Corporation, without cause.

Andrew Patient has agreed to act as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer at an annual base salary of $290,000.  This agreement also provides for a severance payment equal to the greater of $290,000 and the total remuneration and other compensation earned by Mr. Patient during the twelve month fiscal period of the Corporation immediately preceding the date of termination, if Mr. Patient’s employment is terminated, without cause, by the Corporation. If there is a change of control (as defined) of the Corporation and Mr. Patient elects to resign within twelve months of the date on which the change of control occurs, Mr. Patient is entitled to receive a severance payment equal to the same amount to which he would have been entitled if his employment had been terminated by the Corporation, without cause.

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Geoffrey B. Genovese has agreed to act as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Envoy Monaco at an annual base salary of 720,000 Euros (Cdn $1,172,088), together with an annual bonus of up to 100% of salary, based on pre-set specific performance criteria approved annually, in advance, by the Compensation Committee of the Company. This agreement provides for a severance payment equal to the greater of (1) 3,950,000 Euros (Cdn $6,430,205) and (2) an amount equal to 200,000 Euros (Cdn $325,580) plus an amount equal to three times the total remuneration and other compensation paid to Mr. Genovese during (a) the 12 month fiscal period of Envoy Monaco immediately preceding termination (the “First 12 Month Fiscal Period”) or (b) the 12 month fiscal period of Envoy Monaco immediately preceding the First 12 Month Fiscal Period (the “Second 12 Month Fiscal Period”) or (c) the 12 month fiscal period of Envoy Monaco immediately preceding the Second 12 Month Fiscal Period, whichever is greater, if Mr. Genovese’s employment is terminated, without cause, by Envoy Monaco or if there is a change of control of the Company and Mr. Genovese elects to terminate his employment with Envoy Monaco. In addition, if there is a change of control of the Company, Mr. Genovese is entitled to receive, at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Company, a one-time bonus of up to a maximum of 700,000 Euros (Cdn $1,139,530). All amounts payable to Mr. Genovese by Envoy Monaco under this agreement have been guaranteed by the Company.

John H. Bailey has agreed to act as Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Envoy Monaco at an annual base salary of 350,000 Euros (Cdn $569,765). Mr. Bailey is also eligible to receive, in the total discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Company, an annual bonus, based on pre-set specific performance criteria approved annually, in advance, by the Compensation Committee. This agreement provides for a severance payment of an amount equal to three times the total remuneration and other compensation paid to Mr. Bailey during (a) the 12 month fiscal period of Envoy Monaco immediately preceding termination (the “First 12 Month Fiscal Period”) or (b) the 12 month fiscal period of Envoy Monaco immediately preceding the First 12 Month Fiscal Period (the “Second 12 Month Fiscal Period”) or (c) the 12 month fiscal period of Envoy Monaco immediately preceding the Second 12 Month Fiscal Period, whichever is greater, if Mr. Bailey’s employment is terminated, without cause, by Envoy Monaco or if there is a change of control of the Company and Mr. Bailey elects to terminate his employment with Envoy Monaco. The severance payment will not be less than 1,050,000 Euros (Cdn $1,709,295) if the First 12 Month Fiscal Period is less than 12 full months. All amounts payable to Mr. Bailey by Envoy Monaco under this agreement have been guaranteed by the Company.
 
Patrick Rodmell has agreed to act as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Watt International Inc. at an annual base salary of $350,000.00, together with an annual cash bonus based on the performance of Watt International Inc. This agreement provides for a severance payment equivalent to his base salary for a period of one year, if his employment is terminated, without cause, by Watt International Inc.

41


Compensation of Directors:
 
All non-executive directors of the Company or any of its affiliates are compensated for their services as directors and members of a committee through a combination of annual and meeting attendance fees. The non-executive directors, David Hull, David Parkes and Linda Gilbert, are each entitled to receive an annual director’s/committee member’s fee of $30,000. The Chair of each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives an additional annual fee of $40,000, $20,000 and $5,000, respectively. In addition, each non-executive director receives an attendance fee of $1,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended. No compensation is paid to the other directors who are also executive officers, for their services as directors. Directors are also entitled to participate in the Company’s Stock Option Plan.

In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, the Company paid approximately $7,500 to John H. Bailey Professional Corporation for legal services provided to the Company. John H. Bailey Professional Corporation is wholly-owned by John H. Bailey.

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance:

The Company maintains liability insurance for the benefit of the directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries against liability incurred by them in their respective capacities. The current annual policy limit is $5,000,000. Under the policy, individual directors and officers are reimbursed for losses incurred in their capacities as such, subject to a deductible of $250,000 for claims arising in the United States and $150,000 for all other claims. The deductible is the responsibility of the Company. The Company paid the annual premium of $50,000.

C.            Board Practices
 
Corporate Governance:
 
The Company is subject to a variety of corporate governance guidelines and requirements enacted by the CSA, The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) and by the SEC under its rules and those mandated by the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. During the recent past, there were several changes to the corporate governance and corporate governance disclosure requirements applicable to the Company. Specifically, the Canadian Securities Administrators introduced in final form National Instrument 58-101 - Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“NI 58-101”) and National Policy 58-201 - Corporate Governance Guidelines (“National Policy 58-201”), both of which came into force on June 30, 2005 and effectively replaced the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The Company is required to disclose certain specified corporate governance information under NI 58-101. The disclosure required addresses items such as the constitution and independence of corporate boards, the functions to be performed by boards and their committees, the orientation and education of directors, ethical business conduct and compensation matters. Set out below is a description of certain corporate governance practices of the Company, required by NI 58-101.

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As new regulations come into effect, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) will continue to review the Company’s corporate governance practices and make appropriate changes.

Board of Directors:
 
The articles of the Company provide that there shall be a Board of not less than three or more than ten directors. There are currently five directors on the Board. National Policy 58-201 recommends that boards of directors of reporting issuers be composed of a majority of “independent” directors (within the meaning of such term in NI 58-101).

The Board, on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, is responsible for determining whether or not each director is independent. To achieve this, the Board analyses all of the relationships each director has with the Company and its subsidiaries in light of the concept of independence in NI 58-101 and director independence standards adopted by the Board. These standards are available in the Governance section of the Company’s website at www.envoy.to. In general, a director who meets these standards and who does not otherwise have a material relationship with the Company would be considered independent. Based on the information provided by each director, and having considered the independence standards mentioned above, the Board determined that three of the Company’s five directors are independent within the meaning of such term in NI 58-101. Therefore, the Board is composed of a majority of independent directors.

The three independent directors are: David Hull, David Parkes and Linda Gilbert. Two directors have material relationships with the Company and are therefore not independent. Mr. Geoffrey Genovese, President and Chief Executive Officer of Envoy Monaco, is considered to have a material relationship with the Company by virtue of his executive officer position. Mr. John Bailey is considered to have a material relationship with the Company by virtue of his position as Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Envoy Monaco.

The current Chairman of the Board is David Hull, who is an independent director. The Chairman chairs meetings of directors without management present. The Board has determined that the Chairman shall be appointed by the Board based on the recommendations of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. On January 1, 2009, David Hull was appointed the Chairman of the Board.

Where appropriate, the directors meet without management following Board meetings and at meetings of independent directors. The Board also meets without the President and Chief Executive Officer when his performance and compensation are being discussed. Since October 1, 2008, the independent directors have held five meetings without non-independent directors present.  In addition, the Compensation Committee held three meetings, the audit committee held ten meetings and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held one meeting since October 1, 2008.

43


Between October 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009, inclusive, the Board held 11 meetings. The attendance of the directors at such meetings was as follows:
 
Director
Board Meetings Attended 2
   
Hugh Aird ¹
    of     9
John Bailey
11     of     11
Geoff Genovese
11     of     11
Linda Gilbert 1
    of     2
David Hull
10     of     11
David Parkes
11     of     11

Note:
 
1. Mr. Hugh Aird resigned as a Director and member of the three Board Committees on July 28, 2009 and was replaced as a Director and a member of the three Board Committees on August 5, 2009 by Ms. Linda Gilbert.

2. In addition, Messrs. David Hull and David Parkes attended five meetings of the independent directors (at which Messrs. Genovese and Bailey were not eligible to attend), ten meetings of the Audit Committee, three meetings of the Compensation Committee and one meeting of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Hugh Aird also attended three meetings of the independent directors, six meetings of the Audit Committee and three meetings of the Compensation Committee. Ms. Linda Gilbert also attended two meetings of the independent directors and  four meetings of the Audit Committee.

Mandate of the Board:
 
The Board has adopted a Board Mandate, under the title “Envoy Capital Group Inc. — Corporate Governance Guidelines”. A copy of this Board Mandate is available in the Governance section of the Company’s website at www.envoy.to, and is incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 11.3 to this Form 20-F.

The Board has the responsibility for the overall stewardship of the Company, establishing the overall policies and standards for the Company in the operation of its businesses, and reviewing and approving the Company’s strategic plans. In addition, the Board monitors and assesses overall performance and progress in meeting the Company’s goals. Day-to-day management is the responsibility of the President and Chief Executive Officer and senior management.

In addition to the Board’s statutory responsibilities under the OBCA, the Board’s “stewardship” responsibilities include the following: (a) assessing the principal risks arising from or incidental to the business activities of the Company; (b) appointing all senior executives of the Company and, through the Compensation Committee of the Board, developing and implementing the executive compensation policies and reviewing the performance of the President and Chief Executive Officer with reference to the Company’s policies, stated budget and other objectives; (c) overseeing the Company’s policies regarding public communications, investor relations and shareholder communications; and (d) monitoring and assessing, through the Audit Committee of the Board, the scope, implementation and integrity of the Company’s internal information, audit and control systems.

44


Board Committees:
 
The directors have established the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to focus resources and expertise in certain areas of the Board’s mandate.

(a)  Audit Committee
 
The Audit Committee is comprised of three directors, David Parkes (Chair), David Hull and Linda Gilbert. All three members of the Audit Committee are independent directors of the Company. Among other things, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company’s annual and quarterly consolidated financial statements and reporting to the Board in connection therewith. On September 22, 2004 (amended on December 4, 2009), the Audit Committee adopted a new Audit Committee Charter, which specifies the auditor’s accountability to the Board and the authority and responsibilities of the Audit Committee in compliance with National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available in the Governance section of the Company’s website at www.envoy.to, and is incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F.

(b)  Compensation Committee
 
The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to assist the Board in its oversight responsibilities relating to the compensation, nomination, evaluation and succession of the executive officers of the Company; the administration of the Company’s Stock Option/Stock Appreciation Right Plan; and the review of executive compensation disclosure. The Compensation Committee is comprised of three directors, David Hull (Chair), Linda Gilbert and David Parkes, all of whom are independent directors. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available in the Governance section of the Company’s website at www.envoy.to, and is incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 15.2 to this Form 20-F.

(c)  Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
 
The Board has delegated to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board responsibility for co-coordinating and managing the process of recruiting, interviewing and recommending candidates to the Board; developing and recommending standards of performance of the Board as a whole, its committees and individual directors; assessing the effectiveness of the Board as a whole and its committees and the contribution of individual directors; making recommendations to the Board regarding the composition of committees of the Board; providing new directors with an orientation program through a review of past Board materials and other public and private documents concerning the Company; reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to developments in the area of corporate governance and the structure and practices of the Board; and reviewing and assessing compliance by the Company with applicable corporate governance rules and guidelines established by securities regulators and stock exchanges. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of three independent directors, Linda Gilbert (Chair), David Hull and David Parkes. A copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter is available in the Governance section of the Company’s website at www.envoy.to, and is incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 15.3 to this Form 20-F.
Position Descriptions:

45


The Board has a broad responsibility for supervising the management of the business and affairs of the Company. The Chairman of the Board is responsible for establishing the Agenda for each Board meeting and ensuring agenda items are dealt with. The Board has not found it necessary to develop specific position descriptions for the Chair of Board committees. The Board is currently of the view that the general mandates of committees on which such directors may sit are sufficient to delineate the role and responsibilities of the Chair of each committee.

The Company’s by-laws state that the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the Company. The Board has not found it necessary to develop a specific position description for the Chief Executive Officer beyond this description.

Orientation and Continuing Education:
 
New directors are given the opportunity to individually meet with members of senior management to improve their understanding of the Company’s business. All directors have regular access to senior management to discuss Board presentations and other matters of interest.

The Company also gives directors a reference manual, which contains information about the Company’s history and current status, corporate governance materials, its investments and its shareholders. This reference manual is updated regularly. It includes the Company’s Code of Business Conduct, which also applies to the directors, as well as governance and responsibilities of the Board and its committees, and a description of the duties and obligations of directors. As part of its mandate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for providing orientation and continuing education for all board members, including reimbursing costs of attending certain outside director education programs. During their regular scheduled Board meetings, directors are given presentations on various aspects of the Company’s business.

Nomination of Directors:
 
The members of the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are all independent directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the responsibility for assessing potential Board nominees, screening their qualifications and making recommendations for approval by the Board of nominees for election or appointment to the Board. To help achieve this task, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee develops qualifications and criteria for the selection of directors.

The Board aims to have a sufficient range of skills, expertise and experience to ensure that it can carry out its responsibilities effectively. Directors are chosen for their ability to contribute to the broad range of issues that the Board must deal with. The Board reviews each director’s contribution through the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and determines whether the Board’s size allows it to function efficiently and effectively. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is mandated to review the size of the Board from time to time and recommend changes in size when appropriate.

46


Each year, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews how directors are compensated for serving on the Board and its committees. It compares their compensation to that of similar companies and recommends any changes to the Board. In 2004, the Board conducted a review of the compensation of non-management directors. This was partly to address the risks and responsibilities associated with being an effective director. As a result, a new compensation arrangement was adopted for these non-management directors, which came into effect on October 1, 2004. All non-management directors of the Company are compensated for their services as directors and members of a committee through a combination of annual and meeting attendance fees. Messrs. Hull and Parkes and Ms. Gilbert are each entitled to receive an annual director’s/committee member’s fee of $30,000.00. The Chair of each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives an additional annual fee of $40,000, $20,000 and $5,000, respectively. In addition, each director receives an attendance fee of $1,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended. No compensation is paid to the other directors, who are also executive officers, for their services as directors. Directors are also entitled to participate in the Company’s Stock Option Plan.

Other Board Committees:
 
The Board has not established any committees other than the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Assessments:
 
As part of its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is required to survey every year all directors on the effectiveness and performance of the Board and the Board’s committees, as well as individual directors. This is done primarily by distributing questionnaires to each director and will often include individual interviews with the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The Company’s Board Mandate states that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will report to the Board annually on the evaluation of the performance of the Board, each of its committees and that of individual directors, based on the results of the directors’ annual questionnaire.

Shareholder Communication:
 
The objective of the Company’s shareholder communication policy is to ensure open and timely exchange of information relating to the Company’s business, affairs and performance, subject to the requirements of applicable securities legislation and other statutory and contractual obligations limiting the disclosure of such information. Information material to the Company’s business is released through news wire services, the general media, telephone conferences and shareholder mailings, thereby ensuring timely dissemination. Additionally, individual queries, comments or suggestions can be made at any time directly to the Company’s secretarial department located at its head office.
 
D.  Employees
 
As at November 30, 2009, Envoy had 67 full-time employees based in Toronto, Canada, 2 employees based in Monaco and 1 based in the United States. Of this total, 65 employees were engaged in consumer and retail branding and 5 were engaged in merchant banking.

47


As at November 30, 2008, Envoy had 87 full-time employees based in Toronto, Canada, 12 employees based in Dubai, UAE and 2 based in the United States. Of this total, 97 employees were engaged in consumer and retail branding and 4 were engaged in merchant banking.

As at November 30, 2007, Envoy had 77 full-time employees based in Toronto, Canada and 1 based in the United States. Of this total, 73 employees were engaged in consumer and retail branding and 4 were engaged in merchant banking.

E.  Share Ownership
 
As of September 30, 2009, there were no options or other rights to purchase common shares of Envoy.

Options

Stock Option Plan

The Company has established a Stock Option Plan pursuant to which options to purchase common shares and stock appreciation rights may be granted to directors, officers, employees or certain consultants to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as determined by the Board, at prices to be fixed by the directors, subject to limitations imposed by any Canadian stock exchange on which the common shares are listed for trading and any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction in such matters. The common shares subject to each option shall become purchasable at such time or times as may be determined by the directors. Stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) may only be granted in conjunction with an option and, when exercised, entitle the holder to receive an amount equal in value to the excess of the market value of the common shares over the price of the related option. The excess amount is payable in common shares having a market value equal to such excess. Options are non-assignable and non-transferable by the option-holder and shall be exercisable during the option-holder’s lifetime only by the option-holder. Stock appreciation rights are non-transferable and terminate when the related option terminates.

The maximum number of common shares currently reserved for issuance upon exercise of options under the Stock Option Plan is 800,000 common shares. As at September 30, 2009 there are no outstanding options to purchase common shares under the Stock Option Plan. There are no SARs outstanding under the Stock Option Plan. The aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance to any one individual under the Stock Option Plan may not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding common shares.

The following table sets forth shares owned by the Named Executive Officers and Directors as of November 30, 2009:

 
Number of Common
 
Percent of
Identity of Person
Shares Owned
 
Outstanding Class
Geoffrey Genovese
1,691,083
   
    19.8%
 
Joseph Leeder
nil
   
  nil
 
Andrew Patient
nil
   
  nil
 
Patrick Rodmell
13,333
   
 0.2%
 
John H. Bailey
1,085,233
   
12.7%
 
Linda Gilbert
1,000
   
0.1%
 
David Hull
55,700
   
0.7%
 
David Parkes
10,000
   
0.1%
 


Item 7:  Major Shareholders And Related Party Transactions
 
A.          Major Shareholders
 
Ownership of Envoy’s securities are recorded on the books of its transfer agent in registered form, however the majority of such shares are registered in the name of intermediaries such as brokerage firms and clearing houses on behalf of their respective clients and in general Envoy does not have knowledge of the beneficial owners thereof, except for the beneficial ownership by officers and directors of Envoy. Envoy is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or entity or by any foreign government. Envoy is not a party to any arrangement, and does not know of any other arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of Envoy.

At a special meeting of the shareholders Envoy held on March 30, 2007, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of the Company to increase its authorized share capital from 40,000,000 common shares to an unlimited number of common shares.

As of November 30, 2009, Envoy had an authorized share capital of unlimited common shares without par value, of which 8,558,377 common shares were issued and outstanding.

On January 15, 2005, the Company’s board of directors approved the consolidation of the common shares (a reverse stock split) on the basis of a 1 common share for every 5 common shares outstanding. On January 21, 2005 the Company filed Articles of Amendment consolidating its common shares on the basis of 1 new common share for every 5 common shares outstanding. The effective date for post consolidation trading of the shares was February 10, 2005. Amounts shown for shares and earnings per share figures for all periods presented have been adjusted to give effect to the share consolidation.

As of November 30, 2009, there were no outstanding common share purchase warrants.  The Company previously had 5,526,317 transferable common share purchase warrants outstanding, however, these expired February 20, 2009.

49


The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of outstanding common shares of Envoy as of November 30, 2009 with respect to each person known by Envoy to be the beneficial owner or, in the case of Envoy directors or Executive Officers, the beneficial owner of more than 2.5% of Envoy’s outstanding common shares.  As used in this table, “beneficial ownership” refers to the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or to dispose or direct the disposition of any security. A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired within 60 days from the date of this Form 20-F through the exercise of any option, warrant or right. Common shares subject to options, warrants or rights which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of the person holding such options, warrants or rights, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of any other person. During fiscal 2009, two of Envoy’s executives and directors acquired significant positions in the common shares of the Company.  On September 3, 2009, Geoffrey B. Genovese filed Form 13D with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicating ownership of 1,691,083 common shares, representing 19.8% of the total outstanding.  In addition, on September 8, 2009, John H. Bailey filed a Form 13D indicating that he owned 1,085,233 of the Company’s common shares, representing 12.7% of the total outstanding.  To the best of our knowledge, no other significant change in the percentage ownership of any major shareholder of the Company has taken place during the past three years, with the exception of Messrs. Steven N. Bronson and Richard L. Scott, who owned 10.2% and 9.8% of the common shares at November 30, 2006, respectively.  Both Messrs. Bronson and Scott tendered their shares under the Company’s substantial issuer bid, as discussed in Item 16E,
 
     
 
Number of
 
Identity of
Common Shares
Percent of
Person or Group
Beneficially Owned
Outstanding Class
     
Geoffrey B. Genovese
1,691,083
19.8%
John H. Bailey
1,085,233
12.7%

 
See also Item 6.E “Share Ownership” for information regarding outstanding stock options to purchase common shares.

As of November 30, 2009 there were 8,558,377 outstanding common shares of Envoy of which 1,232,149 were held of record by 4 Non-U.S. residents and 7,326,228 were held of record by 19 U.S. residents. The foregoing information regarding the number and the country of residence of Envoy’s shareholders does not reflect those shareholders whose shares are being held of record by brokerage clearing houses and in general the ultimate beneficial owners of these shares are not known to Envoy. The Company’s major shareholders do not have different voting rights.
 
B.            Related Party Transactions
 
As disclosed in Note 8 to the Financial Statements, the following are transactions that took place during fiscal 2009 and prior that involved related parties:

During fiscal 2009, the Company paid $7,500 (2008 - $215,000; 2007 - $244,786) for legal services to a director of the Company.  In November 2008, this director became an employee of the Company.

In November, 2008, the company established a new subsidiary in the principality of Monaco, Envoy Monaco.  As part of the local requirements of incorporation, the two directors of Envoy Monaco, who are residents of Monaco, acquired a 0.1% share interest in ECGM (total of 0.2%) at a cost 5,000 Euros each.

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In April 2007, Envoy founded Sereno Capital Corporation (“Sereno”), a Capital Pool Company, under the specific provisions of the TSX-V program.  During the year, the Company invested $200,000 in Sereno and at September 30, 2009 Envoy owned an approximate 28% interest.  Members of Envoy’s management group are also officers and directors of Sereno and exercise significant influence. The investment in Sereno has been accounted for using the equity method.

These transactions were recorded at the exchange amount, being the amount agreed to by the related parties, as the transactions were considered to be in the ordinary course of business.

Except as disclosed above, no director or executive officer, and no relative or spouse of the foregoing persons (or relative of such spouse) who has the same house as such person or is an executive officer or director of any parent or subsidiary of Envoy has, or during the last fiscal year of Envoy had, any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transactions, or in any proposed transaction, which in either such case has materially affected or will materially affect Envoy.

There are no outstanding loans currently owed to Envoy by any director or executive officer.

Under the applicable Canadian provincial securities laws, insiders (generally officers and directors of Envoy and its subsidiaries) are required to file individual insider reports of changes in their ownership in Envoy’s securities within 10 days from the day on which the change takes place.  Copies of such reports may be accessed by the public via the System for Electronic Disclosures by Insiders at www.sedi.ca.

C.        Interests of Experts and Counsel
 
Not applicable.


Item 8:  Financial Information

See Item 17 “Financial Statements”.


Item 9:  The Offer and Listing

A.          Price History
 
Envoy’s common shares are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbol “ECG” and on Nasdaq under the symbol “ECGI”. The common shares began trading on Nasdaq on June 6, 2000 and on the TSX on September 3, 1997. From March 1984 until September 2, 1997 Envoy’s shares traded on the Vancouver Stock Exchange.

On February 10, 2005, Envoy’s common shares were consolidated (reverse stock split) on the basis of 1 new common share for every 5 common shares outstanding. The data presented for periods prior to that date are adjusted accordingly for comparability.
 
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The following table sets forth the reported high and low sale prices in Canadian dollars for the common shares on the TSX for the fiscal, quarterly and monthly periods indicated.

   
High
   
Low
 
Fiscal 2005
  $ 4.50     $ 2.30  
Fiscal 2006
    2.70       1.50  
Fiscal 2007
    4.71       2.35  
Fiscal 2008
    3.24       2.00  
Fiscal 2009
    2.34       1.10  
                 
Quarterly 2009
               
First Quarter
    2.15       1.10  
Second Quarter
    1.75       1.10  
Third Quarter
    2.34       1.43  
Fourth Quarter
    2.33       1.33  
   
High
   
Low
 
Quarterly 2008
               
First Quarter
    3.24       2.72  
Second Quarter
    3.05       2.00  
Third Quarter
    3.14       2.37  
Fourth Quarter
    2.60       2.00  
                 
For the month ending
               
November 30, 2009
    1.32       1.22  
October 31, 2009
    1.49       1.23  
September 30, 2009
    1.74       1.33  
August 31, 2009
    1.85       1.57  
July 31, 2009
    2.33       1.70  
June 30, 2009
    2.34       1.59  
 
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The following table sets forth the reported high and low sale prices in U.S. dollars of trading for the common shares as reported on Nasdaq for the fiscal, quarterly and monthly periods indicated.
 
   
High
   
Low
 
Fiscal 2005                                           
  $ U.S. 3.75     $ U.S. 1.80  
Fiscal 2006
    2.36       1.31  
Fiscal 2007
    4.07       2.13  
Fiscal 2008
    3.39       1.90  
Fiscal 2009
    2.09       0.82  
                 
Quarterly 2009
               
First Quarter
    2.04       0.82  
Second Quarter
    1.59       1.02  
Third Quarter
    2.09       1.16  
Fourth Quarter
    2.00       1.22  
                 
Quarterly 2008
               
First Quarter
    3.39       2.71  
Second Quarter
    3.04       2.23  
Third Quarter
    3.22       2.37  
Fourth Quarter
    2.66       1.90  
   
High
   
Low
 
For the month ending.
               
November 30, 2009
    1.24       1.13  
October 31, 2009
    1.40       1.15  
September 30, 2009
    1.59       1.22  
August 31, 2009
    1.79       1.43  
July 31, 2009
    2.00       1.55  
June 30, 2009
    2.09       1.38  

On November 30, 2009 the closing price of the common shares as reported on the TSX was $1.26 and on NASDAQ was U.S. $1.20.

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B.  Plan of Distribution
 
Not applicable.

C.  Markets
 
See above Item 9.A. “Price History” for disclosure on Markets.

D.  Selling Shareholders
 
Not applicable.

E.  Dilution
 
Not applicable.

F.  Expenses of the Issue
 
Not applicable.

Item 10:  Additional Information
 
A.  Share Capital
 
Not applicable.

B.  Memorandum and Articles of Association
 
Envoy’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were previously filed as an Exhibit to its Annual Report on Form 20-F, dated May 15, 2000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999.  Subsequent amendments to Envoy’s Articles of Incorporation, dated January 9, 2004 and January 21, 2005, were previously filed as an Exhibit to its Annual Report on Form 20-F, dated December 29, 2005 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. A subsequent amendment to Envoy’s Articles of Incorporation dated March 30, 2007 were previously filed as an Exhibit to its Annual Report on Form 20-F, dated December 24, 2008 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

C.  Material Contracts
 
None.

D.  Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders
 
In general, there is no governmental law, decree or regulation in Canada that restricts the export or import of capital, or that affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of common shares of Envoy, other than withholding tax requirement.  See Item l0.E. “Taxation”.

There is no limitation imposed by the laws of Canada, the laws of Ontario or British Columbia or by the charter or other constituent documents of Envoy on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote common shares of Envoy, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act (Canada) (the “Investment Act”) . The following discussion summarizes the material provisions of the Investment Act which relate to the acquisition by a non-resident of common shares of Envoy. This summary is not a substitute for independent advice from an investor’s own advisor, and it does not take into account any future statutory or regulatory amendments.

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The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable investment by an individual, government or an entity (corporate or non-corporate) that is not a “Canadian” as defined in the Investment Act (a “non-Canadian”) , unless after review the minister responsible for the Investment Act (the “Minister’) is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. An acquisition of control (as defined in the Investment Act) of Envoy by a non-Canadian, other than a WTO investor (as defined in the Investment Act) at any time Envoy is not controlled by a WTO investor, is reviewable under the Investment Act if the value of the assets of Envoy is over $5,000,000 for a direct acquisition and over $50,000,000 for an indirect acquisition or if an order for review is made by the Federal Cabinet on the grounds that the investment relates to Canadian culture.  Acquisition of control  (as defined by the Investment Act) of Envoy by a WTO investor, or by a non-Canadian at any time Envoy is controlled by a WTO investor, is reviewable under the Investment Act if the value of the assets of Envoy exceeds the threshold of $312,000,000 in 2009.  There are also special provisions of the Investment Act applicable to transactions that may be injurious to national security.

Certain transactions relating to common shares of Envoy would be exempt from the Investment Act including:

(a)  an acquisition of common shares of Envoy by a person in the ordinary course of that person’s business as a trader or dealer in securities;
 
(b)  an acquisition of control of Envoy in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for a purpose related to the provision of the Investment Act;
 
(c)  an acquisition of control of Envoy by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization following; which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of Envoy through the ownership of common shares, remained unchanged;
 
(d)  an acquisition of voting interests by any person in the ordinary course of a business carried on by that person that consists of providing, in Canada, venture capital on terms and conditions not inconsistent with such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Minister; and
 
(e)  an acquisition of control of a Canadian business for the purpose of facilitating its financing and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act on the condition that the acquirer divest itself of control within two years after it is acquired or within such longer period as is approved by the Minister.

E.        Taxation
 
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
 
The following discussion is intended to be a general summary of certain material Canadian federal income tax considerations applicable to holders of common shares described below and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular person, and no opinion or representation with respect to income tax considerations is hereby given or made. It does not take into account the particular circumstances of any investor and does not address considerations applicable to an investor to whom special provisions of Canadian income tax law apply. Each person should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the common shares in their own particular circumstances.

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The following summary is based upon the current provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “ITA”), and the regulations thereunder and the Canada- United States Income Tax Convention (1980) as amended (the “Convention”), all proposed amendments to the ITA and the regulations thereunder publicly announced by the Department of Finance, Canada prior to the date hereof, and the current published administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency. Except for the foregoing, this summary does not take into account or anticipate any changes in the law or the Convention or the administrative policies or assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action or decision, and does not take into account or anticipate provincial, territorial or foreign tax legislation or considerations, which may differ significantly from the Canadian federal income tax considerations described herein.

The summary discusses the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the ITA and the regulations thereunder generally applicable to purchasers of common shares who at all times:  (i) for purposes of the ITA, are not, have not been and will not be or be deemed to be resident in Canada while they held or hold common shares, deal at arm’s length with Envoy, are not affiliated with Envoy, hold their common shares as capital property, do not use or hold, and will not and will not be deemed to use or hold their common shares in, or in the course of carrying on a business in Canada, and are not “financial institutions” for the purposes of the mark-to-market rules; and (ii) for purposes of the Convention, are residents of the U.S. and not residents of Canada, are “qualifying persons” entitled to the benefits of the Convention, and will not hold their common shares as part of the business property of, or so that their common shares are effectively connected with, a permanent establishment in Canada or in connection with a fixed base in Canada (a “U.S. Holder”).  Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a U.S. Holder that is an insurer carrying on a business in Canada and elsewhere.

Amounts in respect of common shares paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited as, on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, dividends to a U.S. Holder will generally be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax. Such withholding tax is levied at a rate of 25%, which may be reduced pursuant to the terms of the Convention. Under the Convention, the rate of Canadian non-resident withholding tax on the gross amount of dividends beneficially owned by a U.S. Holder is generally 15%. However, in certain circumstances, the rate of such withholding is 5%.

A U.S. Holder will not be subject to tax under the ITA in respect of any disposition of common shares (other than a disposition to Envoy) unless at the time of such disposition such common shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” of the holder for purposes of the ITA. If the common shares are listed on a designated stock exchange for the purposes of the ITA, such as the TSX, at the time they are disposed of, they will generally not constitute “taxable Canadian property” of the U.S. Holder at the time of disposition of such shares unless at any time during the 60-month period immediately preceding the disposition of the common shares, 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of Envoy was owned by the U.S. Holder, by persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arm’s length or by the U.S. Holder and persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arm’s length. The common shares may also be taxable Canadian property in certain other circumstances. Under the Convention, gains derived by a U.S. Holder from the disposition of common shares will generally not be taxable in Canada unless the value of the common shares is derived principally from real property situated in Canada. If the common shares are listed on a recognized stock exchange for the purposes of the ITA at the time they are disposed of by a U.S. Holder, the U.S. Holder will generally not be required to comply with the provisions of section 116 of the ITA, which requires notification to be given to the Canada Revenue Agency when certain property is disposed of.

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Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
 
The following is a general discussion of certain material anticipated United States federal income tax considerations relevant to U.S. Holders, defined below, of Envoy’s common shares who hold such shares as capital assets (as defined in Section 1221 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)).  This discussion is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder (the “Treasury Regulations”), administrative rulings, and court decisions, all as in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to differing interpretations and may change at anytime (possibly with retroactive effect).  This discussion is intended to be a general description of the United States federal income tax considerations material to a purchase, ownership and a disposition of common shares. Readers are cautioned that this discussion does not address all relevant tax consequences relating to an investment in the common shares, nor does it take into account tax consequences peculiar to persons subject to special provisions of United States federal income tax law, such as financial institutions, tax-deferred accounts, tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirements plans, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies or brokers, dealers or traders in securities, persons actually or constructively owning 10% or more of the voting power of Envoy’s stock, persons that hold common shares through a partnership or other pass through entity, or persons that hold common shares that are a hedge against, or that are hedged against, currency risk or that are part of a straddle or conversion transaction, or persons whose functional currency is not the United States dollar. Therefore, investors should consult a tax advisor regarding the particular consequences of purchasing common shares.

U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX RULES OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

Except as otherwise described, this discussion applies to investors that are (i) citizens or individual residents of the United States; (ii) corporations (or other entities taxable as corporations), that are created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; (iii) estates, the income of which is subject to federal income taxation, regardless of its source; or (iv) trusts (a), if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States persons as described in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code has the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust, or (b) that was in existence on August 20, 1996, was treated as a U.S. person under the code on the previous day and has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person (a “U.S. Holder”).

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The United States federal income tax treatment of a holder of common shares that is a partnership (or other entity taxable as a partnership for United States federal tax purposes) generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships holding common shares should consult their tax advisors about the United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of common shares.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
 
Special United States federal income tax rules apply to U.S. Holders owning shares of a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”). A non-United States corporation generally will be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applying relevant look-through rules with respect to the income and assets of subsidiaries, either at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income,” (the “income test”), or on average at least 50% of the gross value of its assets, as determined on a quarterly average, is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). For this purpose, passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, and gains from the disposition of passive assets. Envoy believes that it was a PFIC for the taxable year ended September 30, 2009, and has been a PFIC in prior tax years.  Depending on its income, assets and activities, Envoy believes that it may be a PFIC in the current taxable year and in subsequent taxable years.

If Envoy is classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds common shares, Envoy will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. holder in all succeeding years, regardless of whether Envoy continues to meet the income test or asset test described above in such succeeding years. However, under the Treasury Regulations, such U.S. Holder will not be treated as holding stock in a PFIC, if in a subsequent taxable year in which Envoy is not a PFIC, such holder elects to recognize any unrealized gain in such common shares as of the last day of the last taxable year during which Envoy qualified as a PFIC (a “deemed sale” election). Any gain so recognized will be subject to the adverse ordinary income and any special interest charge consequences described below. Any loss realized on the deemed sale is not recognized.

If a U.S. Holder holds common shares of Envoy in any year in which it is classified as a PFIC, unless a U.S. Holder has a valid “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”) election or a mark-to-market election, described below, in effect with respect to the common shares, the following income tax consequences will result to the U.S. Holder:

1.  Distributions with respect to Envoy’s common shares made by Envoy during the taxable year to a U.S. Holder that are “excess distributions” (generally distributions that exceed 125% of the average amount of distributions in respect of such common shares received during the preceding three years or, if shorter, during the U.S. Holder's holding period prior to the distribution year) must be allocated ratably to each day of the U.S. Holder’s holding period. The amounts allocated to the current taxable year and to taxable years prior to the first year in which Envoy was classified as a PFIC are included as ordinary income in a U.S. Holder’s gross income for that year. The amount allocated to each other prior taxable year is taxed as ordinary income at the highest tax rate in effect for the U.S. Holder in that prior year and the tax is subject to an interest charge at the rate applicable to deficiencies in income taxes (the “special interest charge”), and

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2.  The entire amount of any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of Envoy’s common shares will be treated as an excess distribution made in the year of sale or other disposition and as a consequence will be treated as ordinary income and, to the extent allocated to years prior to the year of sale or disposition, will be subject to the interest charge described above.  No portion of any excess distribution will be eligible for the favorable 15% United States federal income tax rate applicable to so-called “qualified dividend income.”

QEF Election
 
A U.S. Holder that owns common shares may elect to have Envoy treated as a QEF, provided that Envoy provides such person with certain information. A QEF election must be made by a U.S. Holder before the due date (with regard to extensions) for such person’s U.S. federal income tax return for the taxable year for which the election is made and once made, is effective for all subsequent taxable years of such U.S. Holder unless revoked with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder that has a QEF election in effect with respect to all years that such holder holds Envoy’s stock and that Envoy is a PFIC is referred to herein as an “Electing U.S. Holder.” Envoy has made available to U.S. Holders, and expects to continue to make available to U.S. Holders, in accordance with applicable procedures, the annual information statement currently required by the IRS, which will include information as to the allocation of Envoy’s ordinary earnings and net capital gain among the common shares and as to distributions on such common shares. Such statement may be used by Electing U.S. Holders for purposes of complying with the reporting requirements applicable to the QEF election.

An Electing U.S. Holder’s gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of such common shares generally will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term if such Electing U.S. Holder held the common shares for more than one year at the time of the disposition. For non-corporate U.S. Holders, long-term capital gain is generally subject to a maximum federal income tax rate (currently imposed at a rate of 15%) for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010 (and, possibly, a higher rate thereafter).

A U.S. Holder holding common shares with respect to which a QEF election is not in effect for any taxable year in which Envoy is a PFIC may avoid the adverse ordinary income and special interest charge consequences (described above) upon any subsequent disposition of such common shares if such person elects to recognize any unrealized gain in such common shares as of the first day in the first year that the QEF election applies to such common shares (a “deemed sale” election). Any gain so recognized, however, will be subject to the adverse ordinary income and special interest charge consequences described above.

In any year that Envoy is treated as a PFIC, an Electing U.S. Holder will be required to include currently in gross income such U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of Envoy’s annual ordinary earnings and annual net capital gains. Such inclusion will be required whether or not such U.S. Holder owns common shares for an entire year or at the end of Envoy’s taxable year. The amount so includable will be determined without regard to the amount of cash distributions, if any, received from Envoy. Electing U.S. Holders will be required to pay United States federal income tax currently on such imputed income, unless, as described below, an election is made to defer such payment. The amount currently included in income will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the Electing U.S. Holder’s allocable share of Envoy’s ordinary earnings and generally will be treated as long-term capital gain to the extent of such U.S. Holder’s allocable share of Envoy’s net capital gains. Such net capital gains ordinarily would be subject to a maximum 15% United States federal income tax rate for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010 (and, possibly, a higher rate thereafter) in the case of non-corporate U.S. Holders, unless Envoy elects to treat the entire amount of its net capital gain as ordinary income. No portion of such ordinary earnings will be eligible for the favorable 15% United States federal income tax rate applicable to so-called “qualified dividend income.”

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If an Electing U.S. Holder demonstrates to the satisfaction of the IRS that amounts actually distributed to him have been previously included in income as described above by such U.S. Holder or a previous U.S. Holder, such distributions generally will not be taxable. An Electing U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in his common shares will be increased by any amounts currently included in income under the QEF rules and will be decreased by any subsequent distributions from Envoy that are treated as non-taxable distributions of previously-included income (as described in the preceding sentence). For purposes of determining the amounts includable in income by Electing U.S. Holders, the tax bases of Envoy’s assets, and Envoy’s ordinary earnings and net capital gains, will be computed on the basis of United States federal income tax principles. Accordingly, it is anticipated that such tax bases and such ordinary earnings and net capital gains may differ from the figures set forth in Envoy’s financial statements.

An Electing U.S. Holder who sells his common shares prior to the end of Envoy’s taxable year will be required to include in income, as of the last day of Envoy’s taxable year, a portion of Envoy’s ordinary earnings and net capital gains attributable on a pro rata basis to the period during which such common shares were held during such taxable year. However, the amount of such U.S. Holder’s taxable gain on the sale should be reduced, or the amount of his taxable loss increased, by the amount of such income inclusion. If an Electing U.S. Holder sells his common shares in a taxable year of such U.S. Holder ending during Envoy’s then current taxable year, such U.S. Holder may nevertheless have to include his proportionate share of Envoy’s ordinary earnings and net capital gains in gross income for his taxable year which includes the last day of Envoy’s above referred taxable year. While the matter is unclear, such U.S. Holder should be able to claim a loss in his subsequent taxable year equal to the amount by which such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares would have increased to reflect the imputed income under the QEF rules.

An Electing U.S. Holder may elect to defer, until the occurrence of certain events, payment of the United States federal income tax attributable to amounts includable in income for which no current distributions are received, but will be required to pay interest on the deferred tax computed by using the statutory rate of interest applicable to an extension of time for payment of tax.

Under temporary Treasury Regulations, an individual is required to include in income a proportionate share of the investment expenses of certain “pass-through” entities. It is not clear under such Treasury Regulations whether a PFIC for which a QEF election is in effect may be treated as a “pass-through” entity. If these provisions were to apply to Envoy, each individual Electing U.S. Holder would be required to include in income an amount equal to a portion of Envoy’s investment expenses and would be permitted an offsetting deduction (if otherwise allowable under the Code) to the extent that the amount of such expenses included in income, plus certain other miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. Holder, exceed 2% of such U.S. Holder’s adjusted gross income.

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Generally, a QEF election that is made with respect to Envoy will remain in effect throughout an Electing U.S. Holder’s holding period for Envoy’s shares, even if Envoy does not qualify as a PFIC in every taxable year following the taxable year in which the election is made.  In any year in which Envoy is not treated as a PFIC, an Electing U.S. Holder will have the tax consequences described below, under the heading, “Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares if Envoy is Not a PFIC.”

Mark-to-Market Election

A U.S. Holder generally may make a mark-to-market election with respect to shares of “marketable stock” of a PFIC. Under the Code and the Treasury Regulations, the term “marketable stock” includes stock of a PFIC that is “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange or other market.” Because Envoy’s common shares are traded on a qualified exchange or other market, a market-to-market election will be available with respect to the common shares.

As a result of a mark-to-market election, a U.S. Holder will generally be required to report gain annually in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of such common shares at the end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such common shares at that time and will generally be required to report loss annually in an amount equal to the excess of the adjusted tax basis of such common shares at the end of the taxable year over the fair market value of the common shares at that time, but only to the extent of any net market-to market gains for prior years. Any gain under this computation and any gain on an actual sale or other disposition of the common shares will be treated as ordinary income. Any loss under this computation will be treated as ordinary loss. Any loss on an actual sale or other disposition will be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent of the prior net mark-to-market gain and thereafter will be considered capital loss. Thus, a U.S. Holder that makes a mark-to-market election will be taxed on appreciation with respect to the U.S. Holder’s common shares even though such U.S. Holder has no corresponding receipt of cash. In addition, unlike the case of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder that has made a mark-to-market election generally cannot obtain any favorably-taxed long-term capital gains with respect to the common shares. The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares is adjusted for any gain or loss taken into account under the mark-to-market election. Under the Treasury Regulations, if a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election and subsequently makes a mark-to-market election with respect to the same stock, the mark-to-market election will automatically terminate the QEF election, and such U.S. Holder may not make another QEF election with respect to the stock before the sixth taxable year thereafter. Unless either (i) the mark-to-market election is made as of the first taxable year in which Envoy is a PFIC during the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares, or (ii) a QEF election has been in effect with respect to such U.S. holder’s common stock for all years in which Envoy was a PFIC during such U.S. holder’s holding period, any mark-to-market gain for the election year generally will be subject to the excess distribution rules applicable to dispositions described above.

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U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of stock of a PFIC.
 
Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares if Envoy is Not a PFIC

U.S. Holders who do not hold common shares during any taxable year in which Envoy is classified as a PFIC will not be subject to the rules described above, under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.” Instead, such U.S. Holders will be required to include the gross amount of any distribution on common shares (without reduction for Canadian tax withheld) in their gross income as a taxable dividend, to the extent such distribution is paid out of Envoy’s current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles. U.S. Holders must include in income an amount equal to the United States dollar value of such dividends on the date of receipt, based on the exchange rate on such date. Provided that Envoy is not treated as a PFIC, described above, during any year in which a U.S. Holder holds Envoy’s common shares in the case of a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including individuals, such dividends generally will be eligible for a maximum rate of tax of 15% under current law for dividends received in a taxable year beginning before January 1, 2011, provided certain conditions are satisfied. To the extent that distributions paid by Envoy exceed Envoy’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, they will be treated first as a return of capital up to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares, and then as a gain from the sale or exchange of the shares.

U.S. Holders will generally be entitled to a foreign tax credit, or deduction, for United States federal income tax purposes, in an amount equal to the Canadian tax withheld from a distribution on common shares. For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2006, dividends paid by Envoy generally will constitute foreign source “passive income” or “financial services income” for foreign tax credit purposes.  For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, such dividends generally will be treated as “passive category income” or “general category income”, for United States foreign tax credit purposes. The Code applies various limitations on the amount of foreign tax credit that may be claimed by a United States taxpayer. Because of the complexity of those limitations, U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the amount of foreign taxes they may claim as a credit. Dividends paid by Envoy on the common shares will not generally be eligible for the “dividends received” deductions.

A U.S. Holder that sells common shares will generally recognize a gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized on the sale and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares. Unless Envoy is treated as a PFIC during any year in which the U.S. Holder holds Envoy’s common shares (described above), any gain or loss recognized upon the sale of shares held as capital assets will be a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on whether the common shares have been held for more than one year. Such gain or loss generally will be treated as United States source income or loss for United States foreign tax credit purposes.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
 
United States backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements generally apply to certain payments to certain non-corporate holders of the common shares. Information reporting generally will apply to payments of dividends on, and to proceeds from the sale or disposition of, common shares by a payor within the United States to a U.S. Holder (if such person is other than an exempt recipient, including a corporation, not a United States person that provides an appropriate certification or certain other persons).

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A payor within the United States will be required to withhold tax (currently imposed at a rate of 28%) on any payments made to a common shareholder (if that common shareholder is not an exempt recipient) consisting of dividends on, or proceeds from the sale or disposition of, the common shares, if the selling common shareholder fails to timely furnish a correct taxpayer identification number on IRS Form W-9 or otherwise fails to comply with, or establish an exemption from, such backup withholding tax requirements. Moreover, a payor or middleman may rely on a certification provided by a payee that is not a United States person only if such payor or middleman does not have actual knowledge or a reason to know that any information or certification stated in such certificate is incorrect. Investors will be allowed a refund or a credit equal to any amounts withheld under the United States backup withholding tax rules against their United States federal income tax liability, provided that they furnish the required information to the IRS.

F.  Dividend and Paying Agents
 
Not applicable.

G.  Statement by Experts
 
Not applicable.

H.  Documents on Display
 
Any statement in this Annual Report about any of our contracts or other documents is not necessarily complete. If the contract or document is filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report, the contract or document is deemed to modify our description. You must review the exhibits themselves for a complete description of the contract or document.

The Company is subject to the informational reporting requirement of the Exchange Act and files reports and other information with the SEC. You may examine all reports and other information filed by Envoy with the SEC, including the documents that are exhibits to this Annual Report, without charge, at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. For more information on the public reference rooms, call the SEC at l.800.SEC.0330. Envoy’s reports and other information filed with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

I.        Subsidiary Information
 
Not applicable.

Item 11:  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Except as described below, Envoy does not have a material position or exposure with respect to any market risk sensitive instruments (as defined in Item 11 in Form 20-F).

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The investment operations of the Company’s business involve the purchase and sale of securities and, accordingly, the majority of the Company’s assets are currently comprised of financial instruments. The use of financial instruments can expose the Company to several risks, including market, credit and liquidity risks. Apart from the risks listed below, management is of the opinion that they are not exposed to any other significant risks. A discussion of the Company’s use of financial instruments and its risk management is provided below.
 
(i)    Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will have sufficient cash resources to meet its financial obligations as they come due. The Company’s liquidity and operating results may be adversely affected if the Company’s access to the capital markets is hindered, whether as a result of a downturn in stock market conditions generally or related to matters specific to the Company, or if the value of the Company’s investments declines, resulting in losses upon disposition.

The Company generates cash flow primarily from its financing activities and proceeds from the disposition of its investments, in addition to interest and dividend income earned on its investments. From time to time, the Company will invest in private equities which have no immediate market and would be illiquid until one is created.  Investments in private equities tend to be relative small, comprising less than 5% of available capital and the Company has sufficient marketable securities which are freely tradable and relatively liquid to fund its obligations as they become due under normal operating conditions.

(ii)   Market risk:

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of, or future cash flows from, the Company’s financial instruments will significantly fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The value of the financial instruments can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and equity and commodity prices. The Company is exposed to market risk in trading its investments and unfavourable market conditions could result in acquisitions or dispositions of investments at less than favourable prices. The Company manages market risk by having a portfolio which is not singularly exposed to any one issuer or class of issuers. The Company also has set thresholds on purchases of investments over which the approval of the board of directors is required.
 
(iii)  Currency risk:

The Company is subject to currency risk through its activities in the United States and overseas.  The Company invoices a substantial portion of its consumer branding customers in foreign currency and, as such, changes in the exchange rate affect the operating results of the Company.  The Company does not actively use derivative  instruments  to  reduce  its exposure to foreign currency risk.  However, dependent on the nature, amount and timing of foreign currency receipts and payments, the Company may from time to time enter into foreign currency contracts to mitigate the associated risks.  At September 30, 2009, the Company had outstanding foreign exchange contracts to sell 2,100,000 US dollars at an average rate of 1.0799 expiring in November and December 2009.  The Company also had a liability for the net settlement on a contract to sell 800,000 Euros at 1.4920 which expired September 30, 2009.  The net liability of $41,580 arising from these contracts has been included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.  The gains and losses from these contracts have been included in investment income for the period.

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(iv)  Credit risk:

The Company manages its credit risk with respect to accounts receivable by dealing primarily with large creditworthy customers and by billing whenever possible in advance of rendering services.  As at September 30, 2009, two customers represented 43% of accounts receivable (2008 - one customer represented 32% of accounts receivable).

The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts when the likely recovery is less than the outstanding amount.  There are several amounts due from customers which are more than 90 days overdue but are not included in the allowance.  These amounts are not allowed for as they are balances with large customers for which the Company has transacted business for many years.  The relationships with these customers are such that management is confident that the full amount will ultimately be collected.

Certain of the Company’s financial assets, including cash and cash equivalents are exposed to the risk of financial loss occurring as a result of default of a counterparty on its obligations to the Company.  The Company may, from time to time, invest in debt obligations.   The Company is also exposed, in the normal course of business, to credit risk from advances to investee companies.

(v)  Interest rate risk:

Interest risk is the impact that changes in interest rates could have on the Company’s earnings and liabilities.  All of the Company’s interest-bearing investments are at fixed rates, hence   there is no exposure to interest rate fluctuations while investments are held.  As at September 30, 2009, the Company had no liabilities which bore interest at rates fluctuating with the prime rate or overnight lending rate. The Company has a credit facility which can be repaid by the Company at any time, without notice or penalty, which provides the Company with some ability to manage and mitigate its interest risk. It is management’s opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest rate risk.

Item 12:  Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
 
Not applicable

PART II

Item 13:  Defaults, Dividends Arrearages and Delinquencies
 
A.  There has been no material default in the payment of principal, interest, a sinking or purchase fund installment or any other material default relating to the indebtedness of the Company its significant subsidiary.

B.  There is no preferred stock of Envoy its significant subsidiary and accordingly there has been no material arrearage in the payment of dividends or any other material delinquency not cured within 30 days, with respect to any class of preferred stock of Envoy or of its significant subsidiary.

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Item 14:  Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
 
A.  There have been no material modifications in the constituent instruments defining any class of registered securities of Envoy.

B.  There has been no material limitation or qualification of the rights evidenced by any class of registered securities of Envoy by the issuance or modification of any other class of securities of Envoy.

C. There has been no material withdrawal or substitution of assets securing any class of registered securities of Envoy.

D.  Not applicable.

E.   Not applicable.

Item 15:  Controls and Procedures
 
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. After evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules l3a - 15(e) and 15d- 15(e)) as of September 30, 2009, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of such date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedure were effective.

There were no changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these disclosure controls and procedures during the 2009 fiscal year, including any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses of internal controls that would require corrective action.

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company.  Management has designed such internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with Canadian GAAP, and reconciled to US GAAP, as applicable.

Because of its inherent limitations, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all possible misstatements or frauds. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

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Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and concluded that such internal control over financial reporting is effective as of September 30, 2009.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent auditors regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our independent auditors pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit our Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.

Item 16A:  Audit Committee Financial Expert
 
The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that David Parkes, an independent director of the Company, is an audit committee financial expert. The Audit Committee has determined that all three members of the Audit Committee are Financially Literate. “Financially Literate” means that a member has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements. David Parkes was determined to be Financially Literate based on his experience as the President and CEO of a number of telecommunications companies where he was responsible for supervising the preparation of financial statements of a similar breadth and complexity to the Company’s financial statements, where he was responsible for making judgments and decisions related to accounting matters on behalf of management and where he was accountable for internal controls and financial reporting procedures.  Linda Gilbert was determined to be Financially Literate based on her qualifications as a Canadian Chartered Accountant and her previous experience as Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Envoy.  David Hull was determined to be Financially Literate based on his experience as the President of an insurance agency where he has been responsible for supervising the preparation of financial statements and where he has been responsible for making judgments and decisions related to accounting matters on behalf of management and where he was accountable for internal controls and financial reporting procedures. The particulars of each member’s experience can be found in the biographies under Item 6A.

Item 16B:   Code of Business Conduct
 
The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct (the “Code”). All of the Company’s employees, directors and officers must follow the Code, which provides guidelines for ethical behaviour. A copy of the Code is available in the Governance section of the Company’s website at www.envoy.to, and is incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 11.1 to this Form 20-F.

The Code sets out in detail the principles and general business tenets and ethics and compliance policies applicable to the Company’s business and activities. The Code addresses topics such as: honest and ethical conduct and conflicts of interest; compliance with applicable laws and Company policies and procedures; business integrity and fair dealing; public disclosure; use of corporate property and opportunities; confidentiality; compliance with insider trading and other legal requirements; and records and document retention.

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The Board expects all employees at all levels of the companies within its group, as well as officers, directors, customers, suppliers, vendors, contractors and partners, to read, understand and comply with the Code. If any employee is uncertain about a situation, the employee is expected to refer the matter to a supervisor or Human Resources representative. All employees are also expected to report in good faith any violations or potential violations of the Code and to co-operate in internal investigations about a reported violation. Supervisors are expected to answer employee questions about the Code or direct them to the right source of information; provide timely advice and guidance to employees on ethics and compliance concerns; handle all employee reports promptly and confidentially; encourage employees to ask questions and get advice before they act; and report in good faith any violations of the Code or situations that could result in violations to the Company’s Chief Legal Officer. In addition to employees’ and supervisors’ responsibilities detailed above, senior management has the responsibility to continuously promote ethical business conduct, in line with the Company’s values and general business principles.

No material change report has been filed since October 1, 2007 that pertains to any conduct of a director or executive officer that constitutes a departure from the Code.

In addition to the Code, the Company has also developed procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal controls, auditing matters or evidence of an activity that may constitute corporate fraud or violation of applicable law and for the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. The complete Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters is available in the Governance section of the Company’s website at www.Envoy.to, and is incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 11.2 to this Form 20-F.

Directors and officers of the Company are required under the OBCA to disclose any material interest in any material contract or transaction with the Company and refrain from voting with respect thereof, subject to certain exceptions.

Item 16C:   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
(a)
AUDIT FEES were $98,500 in 2009 and $250,000 in 2008. These fees include year end audit work, consents, reviews and assistance with regulatory filings.
 
(b)
AUDIT-RELATED FEES were $23,697 in 2009 and $15,650 in 2008. These fees include assistance with due diligence and accounting research.
 
(c)
TAX FEES were $25,000 in 2009 and $42,500 in 2008. These fees include tax compliance services and tax advice.
 
(d)
All OTHER FEES were $nil in 2009, and $nil in 2008.
 
(e)
In accordance with the Company’s Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee ensures the independent auditor submits a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company and pre-approves all audit fees and non-audit services to be provided to the Company or any subsidiary by the independent auditor. All services provided to the Company after the adoption of the Audit Committee Charter were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

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Item 16D:   Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
 
Not Applicable.
 
Item 16E:   Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

From October 1, 2008 through November 30, 2009, the Company repurchased and cancelled 27,259 common shares for cash consideration of $59,477.  The Company repurchased these shares pursuant to the terms of a normal course issuer bid which began on February 7, 2008 and ended on February 6, 2009.  The Company was authorized to repurchase and cancel up to 10% of the public float of the shares.  On April 27, 2009, the Company announced acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) of its Notice of Intention to Make a Normal Course Issuer (“NCIB”).   Pursuant to the NCIB, Envoy proposed to purchase from time to time over a twelve month period, if considered advisable, up to an aggregate of 682,723 common shares, being 10% of the public float.   Purchases were approved to commence on May 1, 2009 and conclude on the earlier of the date on which purchases under the NCIB have been completed and April 30, 2010.  No purchases have yet been made under this issuer bid.

Period
 
(a) Total Numberof Shares (or Units) Purchased
   
(b) AveragePrice Paidper Share(or Units)
   
(c) Total Numberof Shares (or Units)Purchased as Part Of Publicly AnnouncedPlans or Programs
 
(d) Maximum Number(or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
                     
October 1, to October 3, 2008
     27,259     $ 2.02        27,259  
nil
                           
Total
    27,259               27,259    
 
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PART III

Item 17:   Financial Statements

(a)
Envoy Capital Group Inc.
 
     
 
(i)
Auditors’ Report on the financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2009
F-1
       
   
Comments by Auditor for U.S. Readers on Canada-U.S. Reporting Differences
 
       
   
Auditors’ Report on the financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
 
       
 
(ii)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at September 30, 2009 and 2008
F-2
       
 
(iii)
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007
F-3
       
 
(iv)
Consolidated Statements of (Deficit) Retained Earnings for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007
F-4
       
 
(v)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007
F-5
       
 
(vi)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-6

Item 18:   Financial Statements
 
Envoy has elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 17.

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Item 19:   Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
Description
1.1*
Articles of Incorporation and By-Law No. 1 (as amended on May 2, 2000) of Envoy Communications Group Inc.
1.2**
Articles of Amendment (as amended on January 9, 2004) and By-Law No. 1 of Envoy Communications Group Inc.
1.3**
Articles of Amendment (as amended on January 21, 2005) and By-Law No. 1 of Envoy Communications Group Inc.
1.4****
Articles of Amendment (as amended on March 30, 2007) and By-Law No. 1 of Envoy Capital Group Inc.
8.1
List of Significant Subsidiaries (contained in Item 4.C hereof)
11.1***
Code of Business Conduct
11.2***
Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters
11.3***
Board Mandate
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certifications of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
15.1***
Audit Committee Charter
15.2***
Compensation Committee Charter
15.3***
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter
Financial Statements


* Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on May 15, 2000 (Commission File No. 000-30082)

** Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on December 29, 2006 (Commission File No. 000-30082).

*** Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on December 29, 2005 (Commission File No. 000-30082).
 
**** Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on December 24, 2008 (Commission File No. 000-30082).


SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.

 
ENVOY CAPITAL GROUP INC.
   
Date:   December 16, 2009
/s/ J. JOSEPH LEEDER
 
Name:J. Joseph Leeder
 
Title:President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
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