Ontario Again Extends Temporary Provisions for Corporate Meetings

Ontario has again extended “temporary” provisions for corporate meetings.

Corporations under the following acts can continue holding virtual meetings until September 30, 2022:

• Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 
• Business Corporations Act
• Co-operative Corporations Act
• Condominium Act, 1998
• Corporations Act

By September 30, 2022, the “temporary” provision will have been in place for more than 2 ½ years.

Ontario first allowed virtual meetings on March 31, 2020 through an emergency order. It was retroactive to March 17, 2020. Extensions were issued on April 24, 2020 by Order-in-Council (to 90 days after the emergency declaration expired), October 1, 2020 by regulation (to May 31, 2021), April 6, 2021 by regulation (to December 31, 2021), and most recently on October 1, 2021 by regulation (to September 30, 2022).

The extension is meant to give corporations flexibility to host meetings under restrictions so that corporations can meet their obligations during the ongoing pandemic.

Earlier in 2021 the government held consultations on whether the temporary measures should be extended or permanent amendments should be made. It has not yet made permanent changes. While the government explores making these permanent changes to better reflect the digital age, it continues to extend temporary measures in alignment with the extension of COVID-19 related restrictions, including physical distancing.

If you have questions about the extension of the effective period of the temporary legislative provisions related to virtual meetings you can contact the government directly at OnCondo@ontario.ca and BusinessLawPolicy@ontario.ca.

For more from Ontario, visit COVID-19 changes to meetings and business operations.