The content of the agenda

The first step in preparing a meeting of co-owners is to establish a complete agenda. This document summarizes all the questions that will have to be voted on during this general meeting. It thus lists the resolutions that will be debated and voted. Although there is no formalism surrounding its fine drafting, the agenda must be sufficiently precise. He must thus mention all the questions and points that will be submitted at the meeting. Sent to all the co-owners, this program makes it possible to organize the course of the session. Attached to the notice calling the meeting, the agenda is accompanied by the documents necessary for the reflection of the voters.

The content of the agenda

The agenda of an Annual Meeting usually begins with the following elements:

• Quorum and calling the Meeting to order;
• Election of the meeting officers which may take place at the opening or at the end of the Meeting;
• Reading of the agenda;
• Board’s report;
• Presentation of the financial statements;
• Presentation of the budget forecast for consultation purposes;
• Approval (if any) of work for the improvement, alteration or enlargement of the common portions;
• Approval (if applicable) of any amendment to the declaration of co-ownership;
• Approval (if applicable) of any act of acquisition or alienation of immovables by the syndicate;
• Election of the Board of Directors members;
• Varia;
• Closing of the meeting.

A crystallized agenda

Once the final version of the agenda sent to the co-owners, its content cannot be changed. It would therefore be prohibited, in principle, to add other questions there too, once the deadline granted to co-owners has expired. Any new item proposed at the last minute is inadmissible, either before or during the Meeting. And remember that questions that are not listed in the agenda may not be voted upon unless all the co-owners of the syndicate are present at the meeting and consent to it (article 348 of the Civil Code of Québec).

Preparation of draft resolutions

To avoid any ambiguity on the scope of the questions submitted to the co-owners vote, it is recommended to join to the notice of call and the agenda, the wording of the draft resolutions to be submitted to a vote. In other words, each proposed questions should be accompanied by a detailed, clear and specific description, as well as any information required to take an enlightened decision. Furthermore, in regards to all the questions on the agenda, a vote should be taken one resolution at a time. Following this procedure reduces the risk of legal challenges.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ! ​ Most of the time, the agenda of a meeting of co-owners has a section called ''Other Business'' or ''Varia''. This item cannot be the object of any vote whatsoever. It allows discussion on various topics of interest to the co-ownership that does not require a decision of the Meeting.

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND : The meeting of co-owners can take decisions only on matters legally inserted on the agenda. These questions must be clear and unambiguous.

WARNING ! Take notice that one must not become confused between the items on the agenda that do not necessitate a vote, with the “questions” which require a vote in order that a decision be taken.

Back to the mega-Factsheet: Agenda of the Meeting of co-owners