"how many buyback shares management still has in its hands. I don't know if management is allowed keep them around (i.e. without cancelling them right away, as long as the cancellation is within the stated period, within one year of the initiation of the buybacks?) for voting purposes"

My understanding is that a redeemed share is readily cancelled by the Corporation, and the float reduced accordingly (see s. 39(6) CBC Act).

GLTA.

BaBe