Asset Sale And Shareholder Approval

In the context of an asset acquisition, both the seller and the buyer need to consider whether the proposed transaction triggers shareholder approval requirements under corporate legislation.

Legislative requirements

Subsection 189(3) of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the CBCA) states that "a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all the property of a corporation other than in the ordinary course of business of the corporation" requires special resolution of shareholders, being not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by shareholders who voted in respect of the resolution. The Ontario Business Corporations Act has similar provision.

It should also be noted that minority shareholders who were entitled to vote on the special resolution have dissent right which entitles them to be paid "fair value" for their shares if the asset sale proceeds.