The Canada Business Corporations Act and the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (collectively, the "Acts") require federally incorporated corporations and not-for-profit corporations to hold an annual general meeting (an "AGM") every year. All federally incorporated corporations and not-for-profit corporations must call an AGM within 15 months of the previous AGM and no more than six months after the organization's last financial year-end.
Corporations Canada has released a notice that hosting an in-person AGM during the COVID-19 outbreak would be contrary to public health advice to practice physical distancing and self-isolation. As a result, federally incorporated businesses and not-for-profit corporations have some options to remain compliant under the Acts.
1. Hold A Virtual Meeting
So long as there are no restrictions in the corporation's by-laws, your corporation may have the right to hold meetings virtually using digital technologies. A corporation could either (a) hold a virtual meeting where all participants attend through a digital channel that allows participants to speak to one another; or (b) host a meeting where some participants attend in-person while others participate through a digital channel that allows participants to speak to one another.
Under both options, the participants can vote digitally so long as (a) it is not prohibited by the corporation's by-laws; and (b) the corporation gathers the votes in a manner which allows them to be verified, tallied and presented while keeping the votes anonymous.
The corporation's by-laws should be reviewed carefully to ensure that virtual meetings are acceptable and to determine which of the two options above is applicable. If the corporation's by-laws are silent with respect to holding virtual meetings, the board of directors could change the by-laws with the change effective until the next meeting of shareholders or members.
2. Delay calling the AGM
Not-for-profit corporations can apply to delay the calling of their AGM when it would be detrimental to call the meeting within the normal timeframe. An application must be made by email to: IC.corporationscanada.IC@canada.ca at least 30 business days before sending the notice calling the meeting.
Federally incorporated corporations require court approval to delay an AGM.
About Mackrell International – Canada - Lindsay Kenney LLP is a full service business law firm with offices in Vancouver and Langley, BC and a member of Mackrell International. Mackrell International – Canada is comprised of four independent law firms in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Each firm is regionally based and well-connected in our communities, an advantage shared with our clients. With close relations amongst our Canadian member firms, we are committed to working with clients who have legal needs in multiple jurisdictions within Canada.
This article is intended to be an overview and is for informational purposes only.