The Provincial Government has announced changes to legislation that will allow stakeholders to conduct meetings virtually, including meetings of directors and Annual General Meetings (AGMs), and allow for virtual and phone participation.

Legislation requires entities under the Co-operatives Act, Condominium Act and Corporations Act to hold various types of meetings to conduct key business. However, due to the ongoing public health emergency, gatherings operated by a recognized organization are limited to no more than 100 people provided physical distancing can be maintained.

Amendments to the Acts allow these organizations to use virtual collaboration technology for all meetings, should they choose to do so, and allow shareholders, members and condominium owners to participate virtually. Requirements for participants include being able to clearly hear one another, and have the ability to speak and ask questions. Also, voting procedures must maintain anonymity where required.

Since the introduction of a five-year Digital Government plan in 2018, government has progressively transformed the way services are delivered in Newfoundland and Labrador. Online service options have been useful in complementing traditional services during this difficult time, and virtual meetings are in line with the digital government response to the public health emergency.

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“It is important that stakeholders be able to conduct regular business during the public health emergency, and our government has worked hard to find solutions. Providing additional flexibility for organizations to determine the best and safest way to conduct their business – particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic – is another such solution.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL 

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Media contact
Krista Dalton
Digital Government and Service NL
709-729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca