These aren't actually shares, they are Deferred Share Units and Options. With RVX success, will be in the future. These are all Directors of the corporation and appears to be payment for their director services rather than cash right now. The DSU's are hypothetical shares that do not become actual shares until converted. The value will fluctuate with the actual share price until they are converted to actual shares or cash. 

My thoughts are that this saves the company cash that it doesn't have and the possible advantage to the directors is if the share price goes up, they will be receiving something more valuable than the pay they were owed when they convert. This could go the other way also so hopefully this is showing a little confidence from them that they believe it will go up.