COVID-19 — Virtual Meetings Permitted Under The Emergency Program Act (British Columbia)

On April 21, 2020, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General for the Province of British Columbia (the "Minister") passed Ministerial Order M116 (the "Order") under the Emergency Program Act. The Order permits British Columbia organizations to facilitate and hold electronic meetings for as long as public health orders enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are in place.

Statutorily mandated meetings of stakeholders of certain organizations formed under British Columbia law (such as annual or special general shareholder meetings or directors meetings of British Columbia business corporations) may be conducted on a wholly virtual basis for the duration the Order remains in effect. The Order allows business corporations, co-operative associations and societies to hold virtual meetings in compliance with existing social distancing requirements and gathering prohibitions.