Society director suspension is not a removal

2016 BCSC 718 George v. The B.C. Wildlife Federation concerns the powers of a society board of directors to manage the directorship.

A director was suspended for allegedly harassing staff. A petition was brought before the court challenging the procedural validity of the suspension. The director took the position that the suspension was in fact a removal.

The Court said that there was no removal and that there was no irregularity. The Court did not, as such, have jurisdiction in the matter.

The decision underscores that a society is a contractual arrangement and internal relationships will be determined on contractual principles.