Ontario
The Minister of Government and Consumer Services, Tracy MacCharles, announced new protections for condominium communities that will take effect during the fall of this year. Changes include:
• mandatory periodic updates pertaining to the condominium corporation to improve the communication between the board and owners;
• improving condominium corporation governance and addressing conflicts of interest via the introduction of new disclosure requirements pertaining to directors, including whether the director is an owner or occupier of a unit in the condominium, or whether he has interests in contracts involving the corporation;
• mandatory training for a condominium director to improve the management and operation of a condominium;
• clearer rules to ease an owner’s access to the records of condominium corporation;
• new notices, quorum, and voting rules to ease an owner’s participation in meetings; and
• mandatory education requirements for a condominium manager who applies for a general licence.
The government will also designate two new administrative authorities:
• When designated on September 1, 2017, the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) will educate and promote awareness of condominium owner rights and responsibilities, as well as provide information pertaining to condominium corporations. On November 1, 2017, CAO will also be responsible for managing the Condominium Authority Tribunal, which will resolve disputes pertaining to the access to condominium records. Going forward, Ontario will consult the public to identify other disputes that the Tribunal could resolve; and
• When designated on November 1, 2017, the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) will regulate and license condominium managers and providers.