BCMCL Formation (WWI Era)
According to The Burrard Story by Frank M. Hann: “In 1914, when the writer came to Vancouver, there were four cricket clubs Vancouver, Brockton Point, Burrard, and British Isles Public Schools. New Westminster and Port Coquitlam (the location of the Canadian Pacific Rail yards) also fielded excellent teams. In 1913 these six clubs formed themselves into the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League, as we have it today.” Thus, the founding members of the British Columbia Mainland Cricket League (BCMCL) were: Vancouver Cricket Club Burrard Cricket Club (entered two teams) British Isles Public Schools Cricket Club New Westminster Cricket Club Port Coquitlam Cricket Club Brockton Point Cricket Club These six clubs became the original “members” of the BCMCL.
Governance Issues and Voting Rights
The question of who is considered a voting member under the British Columbia Societies Act has continued to challenge cricket clubs and local governing bodies. A major legal precedent emerged in Delta Patriots Cricket Club v. Westcoast Cricket Organization (2021 BCSC 854), where the court ruled that: Section 84(2) of the Societies Act “a voting member of a society has only one vote” prohibits weighted voting. This ruling directly conflicts with the voting structure previously allowed under the West Coast Cricket Organization’s 2004 Constitution, which stated:ce practices.
“Any club is entitled to one vote for every registered team.” This discrepancy raises possible legal and governance concerns, including: Whether the constitution drafted in 2004 created liabilities for the individual(s) who prepared it. Whether the current BCMCL board has a duty to seek indemnification for errors or omissions that may have affected member clubs. Meeting minutes from March 11, 2004, at the Brockton Clubhouse further support the issue: A concern about unlimited voting rights per team was raised but dismissed An individual (C. Van Twest) was reportedly not permitted to speak These events suggest organizational decisions may not have aligned with fair governance practices.