Federal Nuans Report
24 Mar 2016

Federal Name Granting Compendium for Federal Companies

by | posted in: Canada Business Corporations Act, Federal, Name Granting for New Businesses, NUANS | 0

The main objective of Industry Canada when incorporating a federal company is to have protection for the name across Canada. In order to accomplish this, the federal government must ensure that any name that is proposed does not conflict with any other name being used by an existing business anywhere in Canada. The federal government has established a: FEDERAL NAME GRANTING COMPENDIUM 

Procedure for Approval of a Name for a Federal Company

Step 1 – Have a Search House perform Preliminary Name Searches against your Proposed Name.

Step 2 – Have a Search House submit your proposed name for a Federal Name Decision Report.

Preliminary Name Searches

To save yourself time and money you should first do a preliminary name search through an experienced search house. The reason you should have someone experienced perform a preliminary name search is to weed out obvious conflicts to the name.  If too many conflicts to the name show up on the preliminary name search a new name can be chosen BEFORE the cost of a NUANS report is incurred.

A search house is trained to look for these types of conflicts. If you do not have a preliminary name search done and the federal government rejects your proposed name search you will be required to order another search and submit another request for approval.

Resources For Canadian Business Owners Inc. performs unlimited preliminary FREE name searches with the purchase of a Federal NUANS report.

For more information on what needs to be considered when you choose a name refer to CHOOSING A NAME FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

Federal Name Decision for a Federal NUANS Report

The federal government can provide you with a Federal Name Decision which can be obtained in advance of filing your articles and save wasted time and money. However, a Federal Name Decision cannot be obtained without first providing a Federal NUANS report.

It is advisable to use a search house to assist you with this request because search houses are aware of how to argue a negative decision.  If conflicts to your proposed name are highlighted by the Federal government which provides that the name is rejected, a qualified search house will exam those conflicts and in many cases rule them out as conflicts to your name.  A second submission will be submitted for a reconsideration of the original request.

Frankly there really is no guarantee with the Canadian federal government when it comes to names but experience can help make the process go much more quickly and reduce the likelihood of a rejection to a small percentage. We have 30 years experience working with Industry Canada in clearing names.

Once you have your Name Decision Report and the name search report in hand you can then use these to register your federal company.

Purchase a Federal NUANS Report and/or Federal Name Decision Report

 

Federal Name Granting Compendium

The federal government has complex Name Granting Guidelines when accepting a Federal NUANS Name Search.

The name that you pick for your proposed company should contain at least three but preferably five words and be very descriptive of the type of business that you intend to conduct. A preliminary name search should be done to determine if there are any similar names. If any similar names come up from the preliminary name search, the name should be rejected and a new proposed name should be picked.

  • Distinctive Element

  • Vancouver

  • Dominique's

  • Butterwind

  • Descriptive Element

  • Lawn Mowing Services

  • Graphics Design

  • Wind Surfing Instruction

  • Legal Element

  • Ltd.

  • Corp.

  • Inc.

 

Since preliminary name searches are free with the purchase of a Federal name search, when you use our service, you can continue searching names until you have picked one that is sufficiently different than other corporate names. As part of our service, Resources For Canadian Business Owners Inc. will perform an unlimited number of preliminary name searches for you when you purchase a name search or when you purchase a Federal Name Search and Federal Name Decision.

 

Once we believe that you have a name that is sufficiently different than others, a full NUANS Report can be ordered. There will more than likely be additional names on the corporation name search that are similar in one way or another to the name you have picked. The federal government will query any name that is similar in any way, even if it sounds the same but is spelled differently.

The name search should be submitted to Industry Canada for approval. A very complete description of the nature of business of the proposed company should also be provided to Industry Canada. They will use this description as part of the consideration they give to granting you approval of the name.

Further if any of the words in the name are a combination of letters rather than an actual word, this should be explained and, if any of the words in the name are in another language, Industry Canada should be informed of the language and meaning of the word.

The more information that you provide to Industry Canada, the more likely you will be able to obtain approval of the name. Providing Industry Canada with the City and province in which you are carrying on business will also help.

Further, if you own a business using any similar name such as a sole proprietorship then you should advise them of this as well. The federal government will then provide you with a Name Decision approving your proposed name and you will be provided an approval number.

Federal Name Granting Compendium

If Industry Canada rejects your proposed name you will be provided with an explanation as to why. If they feel the name is too similar to another name being used by an existing company, you can look into the nature of business of that company and find out (a) what they do, and (b) whether they are still in business. If the nature of business is substantially different than your proposed company then Industry Canada may provide its consent to you for the use of your proposed name regardless of whether they first said no to your name.

You may be able to determine the nature of business by checking Yellow Pages or calling and discreetly attempting to determine the nature of business. You can obtain more information about the conflicting company by obtaining a corporate search. A corporate search will provide you with the address of the company and the names of the directors and officers so that you have more information to find out whether the company is active.

If, after doing searches you have determined that the existing corporation is no longer in existence, you may, as well, be granted approval by Industry Canada for the use of your proposed name and can request a re-examination.

You would send a further letter to Industry Canada outlining the information that you have researched and ask them to reconsider your choice of name again. In some cases, Industry Canada will allow you to use the name on the basis that if anyone challenges the name at a later date, you will endeavour to change your name. If, after all efforts have been attempted, your name is still rejected you will need to start the entire process over again.

This procedure is best performed by a qualified search house.

Resources For Canadian Business Owners Inc would be glad to assist you with obtaining an available name.

description of officer positions
13 Feb 2016

Appointing Officers

by | posted in: AB Business Corporations Act, BC Business Corporations Act, Canada Business Corporations Act, Directors Resolutions, General Corporate Law, Maintaining Your Company, MB Corporations Act, officers, Ontario Business Corporations Act, The Business Corporations Act (Saskatchewan) | 0

This article will provide guidance on how to appoint officers of a Corporation and how resignations and removal of officers are documented.

The directors of a corporation manage the affairs of the corporation.  As part of that management the directors are responsible for appointing officers to assist them with their duties.

Directors can appoint officers at a meeting or a resolution can be signed by all of the directors appointing officers.  For more guidance on preparing resolutions refer to directors resolutions.  For guidelines on how directors can go about appointing officers at a meeting refer to directors meetings.

The statute of incorporation and the by-laws of a corporation will govern the manner in which officers can be appointed, removed or resign.

Appointing Officers

The directors initially approve the officers of the Corporation upon incorporation or each year at the annual meeting (see below for more information on annual resolutions/meetings).

An example of a resolution appointing officers is as follows:

2-Appointment-of-Officers

Resignation of Officers

When an officer wishes to discontinue working with a company, that person will resign as an officer from the position he or she is holding.  See an example of a resignation of an officer below:

1-Resignation-of-Officer

Once a resignation has been received by the directors of a corporation, they will need to decide whether they wish to appoint another officer to replace the person resigning.  Depending on the type of position, it may not be necessary to appoint a replacement.  In situations where the directors wish to appoint a replacement officer, they will prepare a resolution in the form below:

3-DR-Resigning-Officer

Remove an Officer

The general operating by-law provides the manner in which an officer may be removed.  The directors of a corporation will approve a resolution to remove the officer and appoint a replacement to that position.  Below is an example of this form of resolution:

4-DR-Removing-an-Officer

Annual Resolutions

Each year a company must approve certain matters.  Officers may be excluded from appointment and new ones brought on at this time without being removed or resigning.  For more information these approvals see annual resolutions.

For more information about officers titles refer to Officers Titles.

Notice of Change

Most jurisdictions will provide in the governing statute that a notice of change must be filed to update the government’s database with respect to changes in officers and directors.  In many cases this can be done online using a company that has access to the databases or a paper filing can be done.  Paper filings are not as reliable but in most cases they are free to file.

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

“1(1) “officer” means an officer designated under section 133 and includes the chair of the board of directors, a vice-chair of the board of directors, the president, a vice-president, the secretary, an assistant secretary, the treasurer, an assistant treasurer and the general manager of a corporation, and any other individual designated an officer of a corporation by by-law or by resolution of the directors or any other individual who performs functions for a corporation similar to those normally performed by an individual occupying any such office;

“senior officer” means,

(a)   the chair of the board of directors, a vice-chair of the board of directors, the president, a vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer or the general manager of a corporation or any other individual who performs functions for a corporation similar to those normally performed by an individual occupying any such office, and

(b)   each of the five highest paid employees of a corporation, including any individual referred to in clause (a);”

“117.  (1)  After incorporation, a meeting of the directors of a corporation shall be held at which the directors may,… (d) appoint officers;”

“127.  (1)  Subject to the articles or by-laws, directors of a corporation may appoint from their number a managing director or a committee of directors and delegate to such managing director or committee any of the powers of the directors.  2006, c. 34, Sched. B, s. 21 (1).”

Canada Business Corporations Act

“2(1) “officer” means an individual appointed as an officer under section 121, the chairperson of the board of directors, the president, a vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer, the comptroller, the general counsel, the general manager, a managing director, of a corporation, or any other individual who performs functions for a corporation similar to those normally performed by an individual occupying any of those offices;”

“104 (1) After issue of the certificate of incorporation, a meeting of the directors of the corporation shall be held at which the directors may…..(d) appoint officers;”

Business Corporations Act (Alberta)

“121. Subject to the articles, the bylaws or any unanimous shareholder agreement, (a) the directors may designate the offices of the corporation, appoint as officers individuals of full capacity, specify their duties and delegate to them powers to manage the business and affairs of the corporation, except powers to do anything referred to in section 115(3), (b) a director may be appointed to any office of the corporation, and (c) 2 or more offices of the corporation may be held by the same person.”

Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)

“141 (1) Subject to subsection (3) and to the memorandum and articles of a company, the directors may appoint officers and may specify their duties.

(2) Unless the memorandum or articles provide otherwise,

(a) any individual, including a director, may be appointed to any office of the company, and

(b) 2 or more offices of the company may be held by the same individual.

(3) An individual who is not qualified under section 124 to become or act as a director of a company is not qualified to become or act as an officer of the company.

(4) Unless the memorandum or articles provide otherwise, the directors may remove any officer.

(5) The removal of an officer is without prejudice to the officer’s contractual rights or rights under law, but the appointment of an officer does not of itself create any contractual rights.”

The Business Corporations Act (Saskatchwan)

“116 Subject to the articles, the bylaws or any unanimous shareholder agreement: (a) the directors may designate the offices of the corporation, appoint as officers persons of full capacity, specify their duties and delegate to them powers to manage the business and affairs of the corporation, except powers to do anything referred to in subsection (3) of section 110; (b) a director may be appointed to any office of the corporation; and (c) two or more offices of the corporation may be held by the same person.”

The Corporations Act (Manitoba)

“99(1).  After the issue of the certificate of incorporation, a meeting of the directors of the corporation shall be held at which the directors may…..(d) appoint officers;”

By-law Provisions Regarding Officers

An example of a clause in a general operating by-law which governs how officers are appointed is as follows:

“Appointment – The board may from time to time designate the offices of the Corporation, appoint officers (and assistants to officers), specify their duties and, subject to the Act or the provisions of any unanimous shareholder agreement, delegate to such officers powers to manage the business and affairs of the Corporation.  A director may be appointed to any office of the Corporation.  Except for the chairman of the board and the managing director, an officer may but need not be a director.  Two or more offices may be held by the same person.”

An example of a clause in a by-law which provides for the removal or resignation of an officer is as follows:

“ Term of Office (Removal) – In the absence of a written agreement to the contrary, the board may remove, whether for cause or without cause, any officer of the Corporation.  Unless so removed, an officer shall hold office until his successor is appointed or until his resignation, whichever shall first occur.”

dividend resolution
12 Feb 2016

Declaring a Dividend on Shares of a Company

by | posted in: AB Business Corporations Act, Alberta, BC Business Corporations Act, British Columbia, Canada Business Corporations Act, Corporate Law, Directors Resolutions, Dividends, Federal, General Corporate Law, Maintaining Your Company, Manitoba, MB Corporations Act, NB Business Corporations Act, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, NL Corporations Act, Nova Scotia, NS Business Incorporated Act, PEI Companies Act, Prince Edward Island | 0

Dividends are payments declared by the directors of a company which are paid to the shareholders (owners) of a private or public company out of the profits of that company.  When declaring a dividend the dividend must be declared equally to all shareholders of a class of shares and are paid out to each shareholder in proportion to the number of shares held.

When declaring a dividend, dividends can be paid as money, shares, warrants or property.

The directors of a company will pass a resolution at a meeting of the directors or by a resolution signed by all of the directors declaring a dividend to the shareholders of a specific class of shares.

Example of a Dividend Calculation

Below is an example of how a dividend is calculated and declared:

  • Declaring a Dividend in the aggregate amount of $10,000
  • The company has 2 shareholders with 100 issued and outstanding shares.
  • Shareholder #1 owns 40 shares.  Shareholder #2 owns 60 shares.
  • Shareholder #1 will receive $4,000 in dividend profits
  • Shareholder #2 will receive $6,000 in dividend profits
  • The dividend per share is equal to $100

Relevant Dates When Declaring a Dividend

  • The date the dividend is being declared payable.  Dividends cannot be declared payable in the past and this date must be either the same date of the resolution approving the dividend or for a future date.
  • The date upon which the shareholders of record is determined.  This provision comes into play more for public companies since shares for those companies regularly trade and the number of shareholders changes from day to day however even private companies must follow the same rules.  A record date must be determined when declaring a dividend and the only shareholders who would receive the dividend would be those who were shareholders of record on that particular date.  This prevents a shareholder who held shares in the company prior to the declaration of the dividend having a right to a dividend declared after he or she is no longer a shareholder.
  • The date of the directors resolution approving the dividend.  Frequently resolutions are left undated but it is very important when declaring a dividend to include the actual date the resolution was approved so that it is very clear that the dividend is being declared for a current or future date.

Which Classes of Shares are Eligible for Dividends

Common shares have the automatic right to receive dividends, however, preference or special classes of shares are only entitled to receive dividends if the Articles of the Corporation provide for it.   As well, there may be certain terms outlined in the Articles to be considered when declaring a dividend on special or preference shares.

 

Statutes Governing the Declaration of Dividends in Canada

Income Tax Act (Canada) deals with dividends in several different sections and it is a good idea to discuss dividends with your accountant before declaring them since there are tax consequences upon declaration of a dividend.

 

Approval for declaring a dividend is governed by the companies act or corporations act in each individual province or territory of Canada.  The various corporation statutes across Canada will provide either some or all of the following provisions:

A corporation shall not declare or pay a dividend if there are reasonable grounds for believing that (a) the corporation is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or (b) the realizable value of the corporation’s assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and stated capital of all classes.

A corporation may pay a dividend by issuing fully paid shares of the corporation and a corporation may pay a dividend in money or property.

If shares of a corporation are issued in payment of a dividend, the declared amount of the dividend stated as an amount of money shall be added to the stated capital account maintained or to be maintained for the shares of the class or series issued in payment of the dividend.

Solvency Test When Declaring a Dividend

Most statutes will have a solvency test that must be met before any dividend is issued.    The company must not be insolvent and a dividend must not be declared if it would render the company insolvent thereafter.

Resolutions to Approve a Dividend

Example of a Resolution to Approve a Regular Dividend for Money:

“BE IT RESOLVED THAT a dividend in the aggregate amount of $** payable to the holder(s) of the issued and outstanding [common] shares in the capital of the Corporation is declared payable on [declaration date] to the shareholders of record of the Corporation as of [record date].

Any director and/or officer of the Corporation be and is hereby authorized and directed from time to time to execute and deliver all documents, agreements or other writings, whether under the corporate seal of the Corporation or otherwise, as may be necessary or advisable, and to sign for and in the name on behalf of the Corporation all such documents and writings and to take all such steps as in his or her opinion may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of giving effect to the foregoing.”

Certificates of Status for Canadian Companies

Example of a Resolution to Approve a Dividend for Property:

“BE IT RESOLVED THAT a dividend in the form of [described property] now registered in the name of the Corporation (the “Property”) is declared payable to the holder(s) of the issued and outstanding [common] shares in the capital of the Corporation.

Payment of the dividend shall be effected by transferring the Property now registered in the name of the Corporation to the holder(s) of the issued and outstanding [common] shares in the capital of the Corporation on [declaration date] to the shareholders of record of the Corporation as of [record date].

The amount of the dividend shall be equal to the fair market value of the Property, which is [$500,000].

Any director or officer of the Corporation is authorized and directed to do all things and executed all instruments and documents necessary or desirable to carry out the foregoing.”

Example of a Resolution to Approve a Dividend for Shares:

“BE IT RESOLVED THAT a dividend in the aggregate amount of $1,000 is hereby payable to the holder(s) of the issued and outstanding [common] shares in the capital of the Corporation on [declaration date] to the shareholders of record of the Corporation as of [record date],  such dividend to be paid and satisfied in full by the issuance to such holder(s) of the aggregate amount of [500] fully paid and non-assessable common shares.

The directors of the Corporation hereby determine that there shall be added to the stated capital account maintained for the [common] shares of the Corporation the amount of $1,000 in respect of the [500 common] shares of the Corporation issued in payment of the dividend declared.

Any one of the directors or officers is authorized and directed to do all things and execute any agreements or documents in order to effect the foregoing including the issuance of a certificate or certificates representing the [500 common] shares to the holders(s) of [common] shares of the Corporation.’

Declaring a Dividend[margin_25t]

Capital Dividends

These dividends are a different type of dividend and the rules are different.  This article is with respect to regular dividends only.  For more information about these dividends refer to Capital Dividend.

 

Buy Dividend Resolutions

If you wish to make things easy refer to this link for a number of templates that can be purchased relating to Approving Dividends Templates.

 

For more information about dividends refer to:

Capital Dividend

Capital Dividend Upon Redemption

Stock Dividend

Canadian Director Residency Requirement
12 Feb 2016

Director Residency Requirements – Canadian Federal Companies

by | posted in: Canada Business Corporations Act, Directors, Federal, Incorporation | 0

Canadian companies registered in the Federal jurisdiction must follow the requirements of the Canada Business Corporations Act with respect to director residency requirements.

What is a Resident Canadian as Defined by the Canada Business Corporations Act

The Canada Business Corporations Act defines “resident Canadian” as an individual who is:

  1. a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada;
  2. a Canadian citizen not ordinarily resident in Canada who is a member of a prescribed class of persons, or
  3. a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and ordinarily resident in Canada, except a permanent resident who has been ordinarily resident in Canada for more than one year after the time at which he or she first became eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

This means that a resident Canadian is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident who lives in Canada.

How Many Directors of a Canadian Federal Company must be Resident Canadians

25% of the number of elected directors must be considered to be “resident Canadians”. This means that there must be one resident Canadian when the corporation has from one to four elected directors.  If a director at some point can no longer be considered a resident Canadian because for instance, he or she moves out of the country, then his or her status as a resident Canadian no longer applies.  A new director may need to be appointed to ensure the company is in compliance with the statute requirements.

 

What do You Need to Know About the Residency Requirement for Directors elected to Federal Companies

Let’s take the example of a permanent resident as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) who is living in Canada.  This individual comes to Canada and is legally classed as a permanent resident.  This person registers a Canadian federal company and becomes the sole director of the company.  Since he is a permanent resident and he also lives in Canada, he is classified as a “resident Canadian” pursuant to the Canada Business Corporations Act and can be the sole director of a federal company.

Down the road this individual becomes eligible to become a Canadian citizen and does not apply to become one within one year after the time in which he was eligible to do so. At that point he is no longer classed as a “resident Canadian” and his company is no longer following the statute requirements to have 25% of the directors be resident Canadians and that company could be dissolved by Corporations Canada.

Let’s also take a look at another example with a different scenario.  A Canadian citizen living in Canada sets up a company with three other directors.  The other three directors do not live in Canada. He is elected a director along with the other three directors and is the “resident Canadian” director.  The federal Canadian company is in compliance with the Canada Business Corporations Act because 25% of the number of elected directors are resident Canadians.  The resident Canadian director decides to permanently move to Cuba.   He is still a Canadian citizen but he no longer lives permanently in Canada and therefore the company is no longer in compliance with the statute and another director will need to be elected to replace him.

 

Annual Resolutions
31 Jan 2016

Annual Resolutions

by | posted in: Annual Resolutions, Canada Business Corporations Act, Directors, Directors Resolutions, Federal, Financial Statements, General Corporate Law, Maintaining Your Company, Ontario, Ontario Business Corporations Act, Shareholder Resolutions | 0

This Article will be specific to the annual corporate approvals (frequently called annuals or annual resolutions) required for companies incorporated pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and the Canada Business Corporations Act.  Most other jurisdictions in Canada would have the same or similar requirements.

In order to document these approvals a series of resolutions are prepared and signed by the directors and shareholders of the company.  Below is a breakdown of each document that is normally prepared and approved.

For more information about the rules of preparing and signing resolutions refer to Preparing Resolutions.[margin_30t]

Annual Resolutions can also be approved a meetings of the directors and shareholders and public companies will hold meetings each year to approve annual resolutions.

Purchase a Word Version Version of Annual Resolutions
Purchase Word Versions of Dividend Approval Resolutions

 

Approval of Financial Statements by Directors

All Canadian companies are required to file a federal tax return each year and as part of that procedure financial statements are prepared by the accountant of the Corporation.

As part of the annual resolutions, the directors of the Corporation must (a) approve the financial statements, (b) approve the directors executing the financial statements; and (3) approve the financial statements being shown to the shareholders.  Below is a form of resolution that handles all three of these approvals:

Annual Resolutions - Approval of Financial Statements

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

“Section 155.  The financial statements required under this Act shall be prepared as prescribed by regulation and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 155.”

“Section 159.  (1)  The financial statements shall be approved by the board of directors and the approval shall be evidenced by the signature at the foot of the balance sheet of any director authorized to sign and the auditor’s report, unless the corporation is exempt under section 148, shall be attached to or accompany the financial statements.  R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 159 (1); 2010, c. 16, Sched. 5, s. 1 (2).”

Note:  An offering corporation is a public corporation.  Financial statements of public corporations must be audited.  The above paragraph is referring to non-offering corporations, which are private corporations, and have an option to be audited or unaudited.

Canada Business Corporations Act

“Section 158 (1) The directors of a corporation shall approve the financial statements referred to in section 155 and the approval shall be evidenced by the manual signature of one or more directors or a facsimile of the signatures reproduced in the statements.”[margin_30t]

Acceptance of Financial Statements by Shareholders

Once the directors have approved the financial statements they are mandated to provide the shareholders with a copy of the financial statements.  Below is an example of a shareholders resolution acknowledging receipt of the financial statements:

Annual Resolutions - Acceptance of Financial Statements

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

“Section 154.  (1)  The directors shall place before each annual meeting of shareholders,….(a)  in the case of a corporation that is not an offering corporation, financial statements for the period that began on the date the corporation came into existence and ended not more than six months before the annual meeting or, if the corporation has completed a financial year, the period that began immediately after the end of the last completed financial year and ended not more than six months before the annual meeting;”

Canada Business Corporations Act

“Section 155 (1) Subject to section 156, the directors of a corporation shall place before the shareholders at every annual meeting (a) comparative financial statements as prescribed relating separately to (i) the period that began on the date the corporation came into existence and ended not more than six months before the annual meeting or, if the corporation has completed a financial year, the period that began immediately after the end of the last completed financial year and ended not more than six months before the annual meeting, and (ii) the immediately preceding financial year;”[margin_30t]

Election of Directors by Shareholders

The shareholders of the Corporation will elect the directors of the Corporation for the next year as part of the annual resolutions.  Even if the directors are not changing a resolution should be prepared to elect the directors.  If this resolution is not approved the current directors would still hold office.

Annual Resolutions - Appointment of Directors

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

“Section 119 (4)  Subject to clause 120 (a), shareholders of a corporation shall elect, at the first meeting of shareholders and at each succeeding annual meeting at which an election of directors is required, directors to hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the third annual meeting of shareholders following the election.  R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 119 (4).”

Canada Business Corporations Act

“Section 106(3) Subject to paragraph 107(b), shareholders of a corporation shall, by ordinary resolution at the first meeting of shareholders and at each succeeding annual meeting at which an election of directors is required, elect directors to hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the third annual meeting of shareholders following the election.”[margin_30t]

Consent to Act as a Director

Every director who is elected or appointed must consent to act as a director of the Corporation and agree in writing to act.  A consent to act is only required to be provided once during the term of appointment, however, customarily these consents are included in the annual resolutions package.

25% of the directors must be resident Canadians and the consent confirms the residency.

The statute also provides that directors can hold meetings by electronic means provided the directors consent to such meetings.

Not just anyone can be a director of a corporation.  Refer to Qualifications of Directors of Federal Companies and Qualifications of Directors of Ontario Companies for more information.[margin_15t]

Annual Resolutions - Consent to Act

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

“Section 1(1) “resident Canadian” means an individual who is,

    (a)   a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada,

    (b)   a Canadian citizen not ordinarily resident in Canada who is a member of a prescribed class of persons, or

    (c)   a permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration Act (Canada) and ordinarily resident in Canada;”

“Section 118(3)  At least 25 per cent of the directors of a corporation other than a non-resident corporation shall be resident Canadians, but where a corporation has less than four directors, at least one director shall be a resident Canadian.  2006, c. 34, Sched. B, s. 19 (2).”

“Section 119(9)  Subject to subsection (10), the election or appointment of a director under this Act is not effective unless the person elected or appointed consents in writing before or within 10 days after the date of the election or appointment.  1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 8.”

“Section 119(10)  If the person elected or appointed consents in writing after the time period mentioned in subsection (9), the election or appointment is valid.  1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 8.”

“Section 119(11)  Subsection (9) does not apply to a director who is re-elected or re-appointed where there is no break in the director’s term of office.  1999, c. 12, Sched. F, s. 8.”

“Section 126(13)  Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, if all the directors of a corporation present at or participating in the meeting consent, a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors may be held by means of such telephone, electronic or other communication facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously, and a director participating in such a meeting by such means is deemed for the purposes of this Act to be present at that meeting.  R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 126 (13).”

Canada Business Corporations Act

“Section 2(1) resident Canadian means an individual who is (a) a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada, (b) a Canadian citizen not ordinarily resident in Canada who is a member of a prescribed class of persons, or (c) a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and ordinarily resident in Canada, except a permanent resident who has been ordinarily resident in Canada for more than one year after the time at which he or she first became eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship;”

“Section 106(9) An individual who is elected or appointed to hold office as a director is not a director and is deemed not to have been elected or appointed to hold office as a director unless (a) he or she was present at the meeting when the election or appointment took place and he or she did not refuse to hold office as a director; or (b) he or she was not present at the meeting when the election or appointment took place and (i) he or she consented to hold office as a director in writing before the election or appointment or within ten days after it, or (ii) he or she has acted as a director pursuant to the election or appointment.”

“Section 114(9) Subject to the by-laws, a director may, in accordance with the regulations, if any, and if all the directors of the corporation consent, participate in a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting. A director participating in such a meeting by such means is deemed for the purposes of this Act to be present at that meeting.”[margin_30t]

Appointment of Officers by Directors

The directors elected at the annual meeting or by annual resolutions will then appoint the officers they wish to assist them for the next year.  It can be the same officers as in the previous year.  The form of approval is as follows:

Annual Resolutions - Appointment of Officers

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario

“Section 133. Subject to the articles, the by-laws or any unanimous shareholder agreement, (a) the directors may designate the offices of the corporation, appoint officers, specify their duties and delegate to them powers to manage the business and affairs of the corporation, except, subject to section 184, powers to do anything referred to in subsection 127 (3); (b) a director may be appointed to any office of the corporation; and (c)  two or more offices of the corporation may be held by the same person.”

Canada Business Corporations Act

“Section 121 Subject to the articles, the by-laws or any unanimous shareholder agreement, (a) the directors may designate the offices of the corporation, appoint as officers persons of full capacity, specify their duties and delegate to them powers to manage the business and affairs of the corporation, except powers to do anything referred to in subsection 115(3); (b) a director may be appointed to any office of the corporation; and (c) two or more offices of the corporation may be held by the same person.”[margin_30t]

Appointment of Accountant or Auditor

The shareholders of a Corporation will either appoint an accountant or appoint an auditor for the ensuing year.  Below is the form of resolution that can be modified for either situation.

Annual Resolutions - Appointment of Accountants

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

“Section 149(2)  The shareholders shall at each annual meeting appoint one or more auditors to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting and, if an appointment is not so made, the auditor in office continues in office until a successor is appointed.  R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (2).”

“Section 149(7)  The remuneration of an auditor appointed by the shareholders shall be fixed by the shareholders, or by the directors if they are authorized so to do by the shareholders, and the remuneration of an auditor appointed by the directors shall be fixed by the directors.  R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (7).”

Canada Business Corporations Act

“Section 162 (1) Subject to section 163, shareholders of a corporation shall, by ordinary resolution, at the first annual meeting of shareholders and at each succeeding annual meeting, appoint an auditor to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting.”

“Section 162(4) The remuneration of an auditor may be fixed by ordinary resolution of the shareholders or, if not so fixed, may be fixed by the directors. 1974-75-76, c. 33, s. 156; 1978-79, c. 9, ss. 1(F), 4″[margin_30t]

Consent to Non-Appointment of An Auditor

Most companies do not have their financial statements audited by an auditor.  Instead they have financial statements prepared by an accountant.   In those cases, the shareholders of the Corporation must approve the non-appointment of an auditor.  This approval requires the consent of all of the voting and non-voting shareholders as follows:[margin_15t]

Annual Resolutions - Exemption to Non-Appointment of Auditor

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

Section 148. In respect of a financial year of a corporation, the corporation is exempt from the requirements of this Part regarding the appointment and duties of an auditor if, (a) the corporation is not an offering corporation; and (b) all of the shareholders consent in writing to the exemption in respect of that year. 1998, c. 18, Sched. E, s. 23.

Canada Business Corporations Act

Section 163 (1) The shareholders of a corporation that is not a distributing corporation may resolve not to appoint an auditor. 163 (2) A resolution under subsection (1) is valid only until the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders. (3) A resolution under subsection (1) is not valid unless it is consented to by all the shareholders, including shareholders not otherwise entitled to vote.

Note:  Reference to distributing corporation is another way of saying public corporation.

Appointment of Auditor

In the case where an auditor is being appointed for an upcoming financial year of the Corporation, the auditor should receive notice of its appointment as follows:[margin_20t]

Annual Resolutions - Notice of Appointment of Auditor

Statute Reference:

Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

Section 149 (9)  The corporation shall give notice in writing to an auditor of the auditor’s appointment forthwith after the appointment is made.  R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16, s. 149 (9).

Canada Business Corporations Act

Silent

When Should Annual Resolutions Be Approved

The financial statements of a Corporation must be finalized and incorporated into the corporate tax return for the company within six months of the end of the financial year.  Therefore, the annual resolutions cannot be dated prior to the financial statements being prepared and no later than six months after the financial year end.

Declaration of Dividends

As part of the preparation and approval of annual resolutions frequently dividends will be declared.  For more information about how to approve a dividend refer to Declaring a Dividend.

federal corporate search
23 Oct 2013

Federal Corporate Search

by | posted in: Canada Business Corporations Act, Due Diligence, Federal, Searches for Info About Businesses | 0

A Federal Corporate Search provides a summary of the public record for a Canadian federal company.   If you know how to read the record you will be able to ascertain a lot of information about a federal company.  Below is an outline of the information on the public record along with some additional information:

 

 Corporate Name History

The current and previous names of the company will be listed.  As well, the federal corporate search will let you know the time period in which each name was used.

 

Registered Office Address

A federal company can have its registered office in any province or territory in Canada.  The public record will show this address.  The Canada Business Corporations Act, which governs federal share companies, requires that a change of address be reflected on the public record within 15 days.  Frequently address changes are not updated that quickly.

 

Date of Formation and Federal Corporation Number

The date of incorporation, date of amalgamation or date of continuance will be shown on the record.  Every federal company is assigned a federal corporation number and this number will be shown on the federal corporate search.

 

Federal Business Number

The Federal Business Number is assigned by Revenue Canada Agency.  This is the number that goes on the corporate tax return.  The federal jurisdiction is the only jurisdiction that adds the Federal Business Number of the federal company onto the public register.  Anyone requesting a federal corporate search will be able to obtain this number.

 

Directors

The names of the directors will be shown on the public record.  The personal addresses or the addresses for service will not be shown.

A corporate search house can ascertain these addresses for you as part of the federal corporate search process if you ask them to do a further search.  If you require these addresses be sure to advise the search house in advance that you need this information.

The record also shows how many directors are currently authorized by the articles.  Frequently there will be a range from a minimum of 1 to a maximum number, usually 10.

 

Annual Filings

This section of the corporate search is very important.   Every federal company must file a federal annual report within two months of the anniversary date of its incorporation.

The corporate record provides you with the anniversary date and the time period in which the annual filing must be done.  This is called the Annual Filing Period.

If this annual filing is not done within the Annual Filing Period the company is considered not to be in good standing and a Certificate of Compliance (sometimes called a Certificate of Status) will not favourable.

If the federal annual filing is not done for three years the company will be dissolved.  If this happens, the company will need to be revived in order to continue conducting business.

Accountants frequently do these filings on behalf of their clients but it is up to the owner of the federal company to ensure these filings are done each year.

Federal annual filings are a requirement of Corporations Canada, the branch of the federal government which handles company matters.  Federal Certificates of Compliance are frequently required by banks, solicitors, suppliers, etc.

It is therefore important to check your corporate record upon occasion to be sure all of these filings are up-to-date.

Do not mistake these filings for federal tax return filings required pursuant to the Income Tax Act and Revenue Canada Agency.  The federal annual filings are not connected to the federal tax return filings but both must be filed within the appropriate deadlines.

If the federal tax returns are not filed for a number of years the company will be dissolved.  It is not possible to ascertain from a federal corporate search, whether the company is up-to-date in its tax filings, however, if the company has been dissolved for non-filing of tax returns then it is possible this was the reason why unless the search indicates “voluntary dissolution”.

A voluntary dissolution occurs when a company wishes to go out of business.   The federal company search will let you know if the company has been dissolved.

 

Governing Statute

Federal companies can be incorporated pursuant to different federal statutes.  The governing statute for the company will also be listed on the federal corporate search.

 

Corporate History of Filings of Articles

A federal corporate search will provide a list of all of the articles filed on behalf of the company.  It will start with the Certificate of Incorporation and then list all amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation and the date on which the Articles of Amendment were filed.  If the company has been dissolved and then revived, those dates will also be listed.

It is easy to get copies of the articles of a federal company.

The corporate history will also indicate whether the company is an amalgamated company and what the pre-amalgamated companies are.  When two companies amalgamate (join together) this is called an amalgamation and a new company is formed.

The federal government will provide you with the corporate numbers of the companies that joined so that you may search those records if you wish.  The companies that joined are called the pre-amalgamated companies.

The federal government will also let you know if the company was previously incorporated in another jurisdiction and then continued (i.e. moved) from that province or territory to the federal jurisdiction.  This is called a continuance.

 

Shareholders

You cannot ascertain the shareholders of a federal company by ordering a federal corporate search.  The shareholders of a federal company are considered private information that is not put on the public record.

 

Type of Company

There are three classifications of federal companies:

  • Non-distributing corporations with 50 or fewer shareholders – This is a privately owned company that does not sell shares to the public.
  • Non-distributing corporations with more than 50 shareholders – This is a company that is in the process of becoming public and has issued shares through private placements in order to obtain the funds to go public.
  • Distributing corporation – This is a public company that sells shares to the public.

 

Operating Trade Names

If a federal company is carrying on business under an operating trade name, the federal corporate search will not show this.  In order to determine any trade names being used by the company you would need to search the provincial or territorial jurisdiction in which the company’s registered office is located.  Operating trade names are a provincial and territorial statute requirement.  If a federal company operates in a province under a name other than its own, it should register that name in the Canadian jurisdiction.

An operating trade name search or business name search can be done to find out more information about operating names being used on behalf of the company.