In February 2009, as part of the penalties and sanctions approved by the OSC in settling the improper option practices, which the OSC called a “fundamental failure of governance”, Balsillie was forced to resign as a Director of RIM. In May 2010, almost immediately after the OSC sanctions expired, Balsillie was reappointed to the board, (ignoring strong shareholders and investor objections), notwithstanding RIM’s earlier public representations that the roles of Chairman and CEO were separated.