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ARTICLE · 22 DECEMBER 2010

Control and Minority Protection: Canada: International Joint Ventures

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The Canada Business Corporations Act, the federal legislation that governs business corporations, provides several protections for minority shareholders, many of which are also available under provincial business corporations statutes.

CanadaCorporate/Commercial Law
Philip Mohtadi
Philip Mohtadi
Sue-Anne Fox
Sue-Anne Fox
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1. In the absence of specific provisions in the shareholders' agreement or bye-laws of a company, what protections are automatically given to a minority shareholder under local law?

The Canada Business Corporations Act, the federal legislation that governs business corporations, provides several protections for minority shareholders, many of which are also available under provincial business corporations statutes, including:

  • Oppression. Where a shareholder believes that the affairs of a company have been conducted in an oppressive or unfairly prejudicial manner, it can apply to the court for a remedy. The court has broad discretion to make any order it considers appropriate, including:

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