Attendance at a General Meeting

WHO CAN ATTEND A GENERAL MEETING?

While Owners are typically the primary participants in general meetings, tenants and occupants often want to attend and understand the decisions being made. The Strata’s bylaws state who has authority to attend and participate in a general meeting.

In particular, the annual general meeting (AGM) is one of the most important events for a Strata. It provides Owners with an opportunity to elect council members, vote on important matters, review the affairs of the Strata, and participate in discussions that affect their community.

WHERE IS IT STATED WHO CAN ATTEND A GENERAL MEETING?

The Strata Property Act does not specifically identify who may attend the annual general meeting. Instead, this is determined by the bylaws adopted by the Strata.

Under the Standard Bylaws, tenants and occupants may attend annual and special general meetings whether or not they are eligible to vote.

The Morley Hanson Model Bylaws take a slightly different approach. They specifically provide that Owners may attend annual and special general meetings regardless of whether they are eligible to vote. The bylaws also address the participation of individuals who are not eligible to vote, including tenants and occupants.

This flexibility allows Stratas to establish meeting procedures that reflect the needs and expectations of their particular community.

CAN EVERYONE WHO ATTENDS A GENERAL MEETING PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION?

Attending a meeting and participating in the discussion are not necessarily the same thing.

Under the Morley Hanson Model Bylaws, individuals who are not eligible to vote, including tenants and occupants, may participate in the discussion only if permitted by the chair of the meeting.

This approach allows the chair to encourage constructive input while maintaining orderly and efficient meetings. In some situations, tenants or occupants may have valuable information about an issue being discussed, while in others, limiting participation may help the meeting remain focused on the business at hand.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHO CAN ATTEND A GENERAL MEETING?

General meetings are intended to balance owner participation with effective governance. Allowing attendance promotes transparency and helps residents understand how their community operates.

At the same time, establishing reasonable rules for participation helps ensure that meetings remain productive and that the business of the strata corporation can be conducted efficiently.

Different strata corporations may choose different approaches through their bylaws, and owners should familiarize themselves with the rules that apply to their community.

UNDERSTANDING GENERAL MEETINGS HELPS BUILD RESILIENT AND ROBUST STRATA COMMUNITIES

Understanding who may attend and participate in an annual general meeting helps set appropriate expectations for owners, tenants, and occupants. By establishing clear rules through their bylaws, Stratas build robust and resilient Strata Communities by promoting transparency, encouraging community engagement, and supporting the orderly conduct of general meetings.