Electronic voting systems.

Electronic voting systems are technologies used to cast and count votes electronically, such as online voting at a company's shareholder meeting or a strata corporation's general meeting. For BC companies, whether electronic voting is permitted, and how it must be run, depends on the BCBCA and the company's articles rather than on election law.

How BC law treats it

Since BCBCA amendments in force May 20, 2021, BC companies may hold partially or fully electronic shareholder meetings, subject to their articles (BCBCA ss. 166, 169 and 174). Strata voting is governed by the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c 43 and the strata bylaws. The Election Act applies only to provincial elections.

What it means for your business

A company planning a virtual or hybrid meeting should check its articles and include clear participation and voting instructions in the notice.

Risks and common mistakes

Running an electronic meeting that the articles do not permit, or without proper notice, can put resolutions at risk of challenge.

Fulcrum's corporate lawyers can help with these issues.

General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.