Definition : Proxy (Power of attorney)

En préparation d'une assemblée extraordinaire, certains copropriétaires ont signé une procuration afin de se faire représenter par un autre copropriétaire. À la suite d’une urgence, le mandataire désigné ne pourra pas participer. Celui-ci a signé une procuration à un membre du conseil d’administration. Question : Est-ce donc dire que les procurations qu'il détient seront toutes transférées au mandataire que lui a choisi?

April 17, 2021 Any co-owner may delegate his right to vote to an mandatary. Thus, with the notice calling the meeting containing agenda, financial statements and budget, there is usually a blank proxy form. However, since there is no requirement for the board to include one, it may be necessary for a co-owner to prepare one himself. A formidable tool at assemblies and an object of covetousness for many when a decisive vote is planned in the co-ownership. However, proxies and their validity are often the subject of unfortunate questions and attempts to counter them. What about it?  

PROCURATION (MODÈLE)   Le  _____________________ 20__     Au Syndicat des copropriétaires _______________ (nom du Syndicat),   Je (nous), soussigné(e)(s),  ……… (prénom, nom et adresse du mandant), propriétaire(s) de la fraction de copropriété portant le numéro civique ___________________, appartement numéro  ______, à (nom de la ville), mandate (mandatons) par la présente M. ……… (nom, prénom et adresse du mandataire), mon (notre) mandataire, aux fins d’assister à l’assemblée annuelle des copropriétaires qui se tiendra le ____________________.

Question: Our co-ownership has 6 apartments. I am on the board of directors, which is made up of three directors. Having been unable to attend a board meeting, I gave a power of attorney to my neighbour. The two members of the Board of Directors denied this person the right to participate in the meeting. Is it legal?

It is possible to make a decision without having a meeting. Article 354 of the Civil Code of Québec recognizes the value of a written resolution: "Resolutions in writing signed by all the persons qualified to vote at a meeting are as valid as if passed at a meeting of the board of directors, at a general meeting or at a meeting of any other organ”. Co-owners and directors may make a decision by the means of a resolution in writing, without any general meeting of the board of directors or meeting of co-owners being held as such. This mechanism is provided by law, when it is not essential for a meeting or a general meeting to be convened, since the salient points of the subject to be discussed have already been dealt with, to everyone’s satisfaction. This is to avoid cumbersome formalism, although written resolutions should be used with caution and parsimony.

In order for the board of directors to validly deliberate and make decisions, the declarations of co-ownership generally provide that a minimum number of directors must participate to the meeting. This requirement is called the quorum. Unless the board of directors is composed of a single director, the quorum at a meeting of the board of directors is generally set by the By-laws of the immovable by a majority of the current directors. Recall that the quorum is defined in order to ensure the representativeness and authority of the board of directors. It avoids decision-making by a limited number of directors. Therefore, it must be checked at each board meeting.

One of the essential moments of the co-ownership is undoubtedly that of the meeting of the co-owners. It is during this meeting that major decisions of the co-ownership are voted, such as the realization of certain works, the sale of a common portion and the modification of the declaration of co-ownership. The co-owners will also be able to debate and reflect on the orientations to be given to their co-ownership.  

  I was absent during the last meeting of co-owners. The directors are "all-rounders" and I don't see why I should listen to what they have to say. Moreover, as usual, they voted on completely absurd matters, such as sumptuous rehabilitation works for the entrance hall of the building. Question: Am I still obliged to submit to the decisions made there?

In our co-ownership, there is a clear disinterest of the co-owners which results in a very low attendance at the meetings of the co-owners. For a number of years now we have had difficulty reaching the quorum. The situation is difficult because decisions that sometimes happen to be made are not followed. Question: What is there to do with such disinterest?

  Lors des dernières assemblées annuelles, les administrateurs détenaient plus que 50 % des voix (procurations plus leurs propres votes). Il dispose du coup d'un nombre de votes suffisant pour être réélu année après année. Nous nous sentons démunis car nous n'avons pas vraiment le pouvoir de renverser la tendance lors du vote. Question: Est-il possible à l'avenir de limiter le nombre de procurations que peut détenir un administrateur lors d’assemblées de copropriétaires ?

During a meeting of co-owners, important decisions are made for each member of the co-ownership. Whether for alteration or improvement of the common portions, the election of the members of the board of directors, it is up to the co-owners to decide. However, if a co-owner is absent and has not taken care to be represented at the meeting, his vote may be sorely lacking. This may  also  prevent  the obtaining of a quorum and consequently the holding of the meeting of co-owners. When a co-owner cannot go there, he can ask the person of his choice to represent him. The mandatary the one who receives the proxy is not necessarily another co-owner. It may be a person outside the co-ownership. The latter will thus be able to represent him in this meeting and vote in his place on all the questions on the agenda. A written instrument is compulsory Tacit mandate being excluded, you must give a written instrument to the mandatary of your choice if you wish to be represented at the Meeting. The latter, who will represent you and vote on your behalf during the general meeting, can be one of the directors of the co-ownership (in his personal capacity), another co-owner, a friend or a person totally foreign to the co-ownership.