Ontario (OBCA) — governance guide

A practitioner reference for Ontario (OBCA), generated from the GovernOS rules engine. Always current with the jurisdiction packs.

At a glance

Legal systemCommon law
Filing languageen / fr · bilingual filings
AGM notice period21 clear days
Coverage tierT2 ruled

Regulators & portals

Ontario Business Registry (OBR)

Company registry

Filing portal →

Entity types

OBCA Corporation

min 1 director(s) · can be public

How to — common actions & what each requires

Add director
Approvals

shareholders (50%)

Documents

Resolution — Election of Director; Consent to Act as Director

Filings

ON-Notice-Change (due T+15d)

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), ss.119, 124

File annual return
Approvals

Documents

Filings

ON-Annual-Return (due T+0d)

Authority

Corporations Information Act (Ontario)

Remove director
Approvals

shareholders (50%)

Documents

Resolution — Removal of Director

Filings

ON-Notice-Change (due T+15d)

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), s.123

Appoint officer
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Appointment of Officer; Consent to Act as Officer

Filings

none

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), s.133

Issue shares
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Issuance of Shares; Share Certificate

Filings

none

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), ss.23, 25

Transfer shares
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Share Transfer Form; Share Certificate (transferee)

Filings

none

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), s.67

Create ESOP
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Employee Share Option Plan; Board Resolution — Adoption of ESOP

Filings

none

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), s.23

Grant options
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Option Grant Agreement

Filings

none

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), s.23

Approve financing
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders special (67%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Approval of Financing Round; Special Resolution — New Share Class & Allotment; Subscription Agreement

Filings

ON-Articles-Amendment (due T+0d)

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), ss.23, 168

Approve dividend
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Declaration of Dividend

Filings

none

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), ss.38, 24

Create subsidiary
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Incorporation of Subsidiary

Filings

ON-Articles-Incorporation (due T+0d)

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), s.4

Amend constitution
Approvals

shareholders special (67%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Amendment of Articles

Filings

ON-Articles-Amendment (due T+0d)

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), s.168

Change company name
Approvals

shareholders special (67%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Change of Name

Filings

ON-Articles-Amendment (due T+0d)

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), ss.168, 10

File beneficial ownership
Approvals

Documents

Register of Individuals with Significant Control

Filings

none

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), s.140.2 (register of individuals with significant control)

Prepare AGM
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders; Annual Meeting Minutes

Filings

none

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), ss.94, 96

Approve audit / accounts
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Approval of Financial Statements; Resolution — Appointment of Auditor

Filings

none

Authority

Business Corporations Act (Ontario), ss.149, 154

Reference only — not legal advice. Rule packs are directionally accurate and being legally validated per jurisdiction.