27 Jun Coming Soon: Public Corporate Transparency Register in B.C.
The Government of British Columbia has announced that a new publicly accessible registry will be launched in late spring or early summer 2025, marking a significant change in how private company ownership is disclosed in the province. This update builds on requirements first introduced in 2020 and brings B.C. in line with similar efforts by the federal and Québec governments to improve corporate transparency.
A Shift from Private to Public Records
Since October 2020, private companies in B.C. have been legally required to maintain internal transparency registers—documents identifying “significant individuals” who hold substantial ownership or control of the company. Now, under new legislation passed in May 2023, certain details from those registers will soon be submitted to a public online platform managed by the province.
This move is intended to increase transparency and reduce opportunities for illicit financial activity by making ownership information more accessible to the public.
Which Companies Will Be Affected?
The upcoming requirements will apply to most privately held corporations in British Columbia, including:
- Limited companies
- Unlimited liability companies
- Community contribution companies
- Benefit companies
All affected businesses will be required to file details from their transparency registers through a new online registry, expected to launch in March 2025, with enforcement to follow shortly after. The system is currently being tested to ensure ease of access.
What Needs to Be Filed and When?
Companies will need to provide updated transparency information at key points:
- Within 6 months of incorporation, amalgamation, restoration, or continuation into B.C.
- Annually, to confirm or update existing information
- Within 15 days of becoming aware of any changes that affect the information on file
In addition, the window for updating a company’s internal transparency register is being shortened from 30 days to 15 days, helping ensure more timely accuracy.
New Disclosure Details Required
Once the new rules are in place, companies must include additional personal information in their transparency registers for each significant individual, including:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN), if applicable
- Individual Tax Number, for non-residents with CRA-issued identifiers
- An indication if the person is incapable of managing their own affairs, where relevant
How Will the Public Be Able to Search?
While it’s confirmed that the registry will be publicly searchable, the exact search functionality remains uncertain. It’s not yet known whether searches will be limited to company names or if individuals’ names could also be queried—something that has sparked privacy concerns in other jurisdictions.
For example, the federal government’s similar registry only permits searches by corporate name, restricting lookups by individual to protect privacy. We await further details on how B.C. will approach this balance.
Next Steps for Businesses
With these changes on the horizon, company directors and administrators should review their current transparency registers to ensure all information is accurate and up to date. Taking steps now can help businesses stay compliant once the public registry goes live.
If you have questions about the public transparency register, how it may impact your business, or if you require assistance preparing or reviewing your company’s transparency register, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’re conveniently located on Shelbourne Street, near the intersection of Victoria, Oak Bay, and Saanich.
This article is current as of June 27, 2025, and is intended for general information purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Readers with concerns about how this may apply to their particular situation should seek independent legal advice.