Montreal Country Club Charter Modernized

Summary#

• This private bill updates the legal charter of Le Country Club de Montréal, a long‑standing private sports club on the South Shore of Montreal. It replaces the club’s 1968 charter and clearly sets it up as a non‑profit corporation under Quebec law.

• The bill confirms the club’s location in Saint‑Lambert and defines its mission: to operate sports facilities (like golf, tennis, pools, cross‑country ski trails, and curling) and offer social and dining services for members and their guests.

• Key changes and effects:

  • Confirms the club is a non‑profit and sets its purposes in plain terms.
  • Keeps the club’s corporate status going without interruption and preserves existing rights and obligations.
  • Sets governance rules: a board of up to 15 directors, elected by shareholders for terms up to three years.
  • Allows the club to create different categories of members by bylaw.
  • Sets share capital as an unlimited number of non‑par‑value shares, and requires board approval for any share transfer.
  • Repeals and replaces the outdated 1968 law that used to govern the club.

What it means for you#

• Members and shareholders

  • Your memberships, shares, and rights continue without change; operations carry on smoothly.
  • The club remains a non‑profit focused on member sports and social activities.
  • Board elections and terms are clarified (up to 3‑year terms; up to 15 directors).
  • The board must approve any transfer of shares.
  • The club can create new member categories, which could change how access or fees are structured in the future.

• Guests

  • Services remain aimed at members and their guests. The bill does not open facilities to the general public.

• Employees and contractors

  • Day‑to‑day work should continue as before; the employer remains the same legal entity, now clearly continued under a new statute.

• Local residents and neighbors

  • The club stays based in Saint‑Lambert and can keep running golf, tennis, curling, skiing, and dining services for its members.
  • No new public programs or public access are created by this bill.

• City of Saint‑Lambert and local agencies

  • Minimal direct impact. The bill mainly updates the club’s legal status and governance, which can simplify dealings with the club.

Expenses#

• Estimated public cost: none expected.

• No new funding, taxes, or government programs are created.

• Any costs or revenues are internal to the private, non‑profit club.

Proponents’ View#

• Modernizes an outdated charter so the club’s rules match today’s needs and Quebec law.
• Confirms the non‑profit purpose and focuses the club on sports and social activities for members.
• Clarifies governance (board size, elections, and terms) to improve accountability.
• Allows flexible membership categories to better serve families and different user groups.
• Ensures legal continuity so contracts, memberships, and any ongoing legal matters continue without disruption.

Opponents’ View#

• A private bill benefits a single, private club and may offer limited public value.
• Requiring board approval for share transfers could limit member flexibility and entrench current leadership.
• Having shares in a non‑profit structure may confuse members about ownership and control.
• The bill does not add public access, community benefits, or transparency requirements beyond what already exists.