Bill 53: the Service Alberta Statutes (Virtual Meetings) Amendment Act would allow thousands of businesses, non-profits, societies, cooperatives and condominium corporations the option to meet and vote online, as opposed to in person.

The proposed changes would update rules to allow organizations the option of providing meeting notices, conducting meetings and holding votes using digital technology.

Why this is needed

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we suspended the requirement for specific organizations to hold in-person meetings in order to protect public health and safety. When the suspension rules ended in August 2020, many organizations voiced their desire to continue holding virtual meetings, rather than in-person, but found their bylaws didn’t allow it.

Our current legislation does not reflect the significant growth of technology that allows organizations to be able to meet virtually. Amendments to legislation would allow us to provide organizations with more flexibility when it comes to meeting and voting online.

When changes would take effect

Changes would be retroactive to August 15, 2020, corresponding with the expiration of the Public Health Act on August 14, 2020.

Changing bylaws

If organizations want to meet and vote in-person, or if their bylaw allows for online meeting and voting, no changes are required.

If organizations want to meet and vote electronically, but their bylaws prohibit such actions, the bylaws would need to be adjusted to align with the proposed legislation.

Key changes

If passed, Bill 53 will amend the following legislation:

• Business Corporation Act
• Companies Act
• Societies Act
• Condominium Property Act
• Cooperatives Act

Next steps

If passed, Bill 53 will retroactively come into effect August 15, 2020.

• Going virtual: Making meetings more modern (PDF, 314 KB)

Dear Condo Owners and Stakeholders,

Our office will be closed for the entirety of August 2020 due to volunteer shortage and holidays.  We will resume replying to emails after September 1.

If your matter is of an urgent nature, we encourage you to contact the following parties during this time:

1. Service Alberta at cs@gov.ab.ca
2. Minister Nate Glubish at ministersa@gov.ab.ca
3. Alberta Health Services: https://ephisahs.albertahealthservices.ca/create-case/

We also have several resources on our web page here: https://condoownerscouncilab.ca/condo-resources/

Have a wonderful summer!

COCOA

The Minister of Service Alberta is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as Board of Directors Chair, Board of Directors Public Members and Industry Council Public Members of the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA).

Competition #: 703
Ministry: Service Alberta
Opening Date: 07/27/2020
Closing Date: 08/09/2020
Role: Chair and Public Members

Location
Meetings occur at RECA’s office in Calgary.
About the Agency

The Real Estate Council of Alberta is an independent governing authority, responsible for setting, regulating and enforcing standards for real estate, mortgage broker, property management and condominium manager professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA administers the Act on behalf of the province of Alberta to protect consumers and enhance business of industry professionals.

The Purpose of RECA:

• to set the strategic direction and ensure the effective operation of the Council;
• to protect against, investigate, detect and suppress fraud as it relates to the business of licensees and to protect consumers;
• to provide, or support the provision of, services and other things that facilitate the business of licensees, as provided for in the regulations;
• to set and enforce standards of conduct for licensees and the business of licensees in order to protect consumers and promote the integrity of the industry, and
• to administer the Act, regulations, bylaws and rules.

The Real Estate Amendment Act 2020, restructured and refocused RECA on its mandate of licensing and regulating Alberta’s real estate sector. RECA has been restructured to consist of a Board of Directors responsible for strategic governance and four Industry Councils responsible for setting licensing standards.

The Board of Director consists of three Public Members and four Industry Members; one Public Member is designated as a Chair, and appointed by the Minister.

There are four Industry Councils:

• Residential Real Estate Agents and Brokers;
• Commercial Real Estate Agents and Brokers, and Commercial Property Managers;
• Mortgage Brokers; and
• Residential Property Managers and Condominium Managers.

Each Industry Council will consist of three Industry Members, elected by each council’s respective industry, as well as two Public Members appointed by the Minister.

To read more about this position and apply click here