BC Transparency Register
New Requirements for BC Private Companies
Separate transparency obligations apply to federal companies. There are some important differences between the federal and British Columbia laws. You can find out more about the federal obligations here.
Transparency Register
Each private company in British Columbia will need to take reasonable steps to maintain a transparency register in BC that contains the following information regarding each Significant Individual:
- full name, date of birth and last known address;
- whether or not they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
- if they are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, every country or state of which they are a citizen;
- whether or not they are a resident in Canada for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada);
- the date when they became or ceased to be a Significant Individual in the company;
- a description of how they are a significant individual; and
- any other information that may be required by regulations.
If a private company determines there are no Significant Individuals, that conclusion must be stated in the transparency register. Similarly, if the private company is only able to confirm some of the required information, that information must be recorded in the transparency register and the company must provide a summary of steps it took to obtain or confirm the missing information.
Significant Individual
Only Significant Individuals need be included in the transparency register. A Significant Individual of a company is any individual who, jointly or individually:
- directly or indirectly owns or controls a significant number of shares (25% or more of the shares or 25% or more of the voting rights in the company); or
- has the right, ability, or influence (directly or indirectly) to elect, appoint, or remove a majority of the directors of the company.
An individual is also a Significant Individual if: (a) their rights, interests, or abilities combined meet the definition of a Significant Individual; or (b) if they act in concert with one or more other individuals and when added together those individuals’ rights, interests, or abilities meet the definition of Significant Individual. For example, individuals may be acting in concert if they have entered into a voting agreement. Close family members are deemed acting in concert even in the absence of any written agreement between them.
Obligation to Provide Information
Private companies may at any time send their shareholders a request to provide the information necessary to maintain the transparency register. Upon receipt of that request, shareholders must take reasonable steps to compile and promptly provide the requested information.
Ongoing Maintenance Obligation
Private companies must keep the transparency register up-to-date. The transparency register must be: (a) reviewed annually within two months of the anniversary date of a company’s recognition (in most circumstances, this will be the bc incorporation date) to ensure the transparency register is accurate, complete, and up-to-date; and (b) updated within 30 days of receiving new or different information concerning Significant Individuals.
After an individual ceases to be a Significant Individual, their required information must be kept in the transparency register for a period of six years. Within one year after that period expires, that individual’s information must be removed from the transparency register and any records containing their information as a Significant Individual must be destroyed.
Notification Requirement
Within 10 days after recording in a company’s transparency register that an individual is a Significant Individual or that an individual has ceased to be a Significant Individual, the company must notify the individual of this fact.
Access Rights
The transparency register is not a public document. Only current directors, law enforcement, and specific “inspecting officials” will be permitted to access the transparency register, and then only in accordance with specific rules.
Liability for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with the transparency register obligations can expose companies to fines of up to $100,000.00 and directors, officers, and shareholders to fines of up to $50,000.00.
Take-Away
Depending on your company’s organizational structure, identifying all Significant Individuals, collecting their information, and notifying all affected parties may be a complicated and time-intensive task. This work should not be left until the last moment. Once the transparency register is compiled, processes should be implemented for maintaining its accuracy and currency. Doing so will reduce the risk of exposure to liability.
While doing business in Vancouver BC if you need assistance with identifying Significant Individuals or compiling and maintaining its transparency register, we would be happy to help.
For more information, or to connect with one of our lawyers, please contact us at: [email protected] or 604-629-5400 or visit us at “The King George Building”, 6th Floor, 905 West Pender Street – Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1L6.
Disclaimer
The above blog post is provided for informational purposes only and has not been tailored to your specific circumstances. This blog post does not constitute legal advice or other professional advice and may not be relied upon as such.
