Year: 2019
The Condo Director Who Stole Christmas
As we approach year end and embark on our collective mad-dash towards the holidays, we thought we’d revisit a Christmas classic and adapt it to the condo world. Here’s our last post of the year; our Condo Christmas Story. Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved. You’re a […]
Condo-Retirement Homes Must Treat Everyone Fairly
“The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.” – Abe Lemons What happens when a condo also happens to be a for-profit, corporate-controlled Retirement Home, but not all owners contribute equally to the mandatory assisted-living expenses? Well, in a recent Superior Court decision, the Court declared that it was unfairly prejudicial […]
Cameras and Police Investigations on Common Elements: Limits of Board Authority
The Ontario Court of Appeal has issued an important decision giving condo boards some clarity on how much they are expected to cooperate with police investigations. It also traces clear limits on investigatory powers police have on common elements. Ultimately, the Court of Appeal helps us understand whether police can conduct investigations on common elements, […]
Changes to “Slip and Falls” Involving Condos?
The province of Ontario is considering potential changes to the Occupiers’ Liability Act, which (if adopted) would bring drastic changes to how claims for slip and falls can be brought against condo corporations. Indeed, Norman Miller (the Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP) is sponsoring a private members’ bill aimed at imposing strict (and very short) time limits to […]
First 10 Things to do After a Condo AGM
Your condo just held its Annual General Meeting (AGM). New directors were elected (maybe even more daunting, you were elected). Now what? There’s lots of work ahead, certainly! But where do you start. Allow us to list the first 10 things you should consider doing following the AGM: Task #1: Proxies, ballots and registration sheets As mundane as […]
Changes to Electricity Cost for Condos
The Ontario government has announced the introduction of a new Ontario Electricity Rebate program, in replacement to the old “Fair Hydro Plan” set by the previous government. These changes, some of which are effective November 1, 2019, are meant to show the true costs of electricity to Ontarians. The province is announcing that the electricity […]
The Day Canada Became a Nation – Remembrance post
Every November, we pause to remember the many who answered the call of duty and those who paid the ultimate price for the freedom of others. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II. Indeed, on September 1st, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Within days, on September 3, when Germany did […]
The 10-Day Countdown to Condo Liens is Not as Simple as it Sounds
The decision of CCC 476 v Wong, 2019 ONSC 4207 released this past summer has provided some clarity around an issue that most people may not have realized was even an issue… counting to 10. Stay with me here. As many of our readers will know, one of the most effective tools that condo corporations have […]