Town Hall Meeting 

REAL CONDO ACT REFORM:
a town hall meeting for condo owners
with Rosario Marchese MPP
Tuesday 07 May 2013 (7:00–9:00 pm)

Rosario Marchese, the MPP for Trinity-Spadina held a meeting to give his ideas on what changes are required to the Condominium Act.

Since it is most likely that Rosario's ideas are shared with the rest of the NDP causus, then his proposals carry weight, especially with Onatrio having a minority Liberal government.

The Ministry
The Ministry of Consumer Services was represented at the meeting by Bryan Leblanc, Senior Communications Advisor. He was accompanied by Tracy MacCharles' two assistants.

Bryan Leblanc stated that the industry experts are working on Phase II of the consultation process and they will submit their report by the end of
the year.

His main points were:
1.
 There will be training for directors.
2.
 There will be licencing for property managers.
3.
 There will be education materials for condo buyers.
4.
 ACMO will not be the licencing body.
5.
 CCI is not writing the changes to the Act.
6.
 Related issues such as needed changes to the building codes has been sent to the responsible ministries.
7.
 There needs to be truth in advertising for new condo sales.

The owners
The owners in the audience stated:
1.
 CCI and ACMO have too much influence in the consulation process.
2.
 Developers bait and switch, promising buyers features and amenities that they then do not supply.
3.
 Planning height restrictions are being ignored so existing condos lose their views to new taller buildings.
4.
 Older condos seem to be forgotten, they have needs that need to be addressed, especially underfunded reserve funds. There is too much focus on new construction.
5.
 Too many renters are allowed in condominiums.
6.
 The City of Toronto is making changes to Section 37 of the City Plan that may have serious consequences for new condos.
7.
 There needs to be better regulation for when developers turn the new condos over to the owners.
8.
 Tarion needs to cover conversions.

Rosario Marchese
Roario's main points were:
1.
 The Expert Panel is dominated by CCI members who do not want a Disputes Panel.
2.
 If we do not get a Disputes Panel then everything else will be weak.
3.
 Tarion needs reforms so it represents the needs of consumers not the developers.
4.
 Building codes need to be revised. Noise issues is the biggest complaint.
5.
 The City of Toronto needs to be free from the OMB.
6.
 The proposals that the ministry has come up with will not adequately protect the owners.
7.
 Condos need to develop as communities and that is not happening.

Is Rosario being too negative?
Bryan Leblanc is sure that he is and that Rosario is not giving the ministry enough recognition for the efforts that they are making to give the condo owners the changes to the Act that they need. (I tend to agree with him. The ministry is listening to the owners and to the industry critics.)

The biggest disappointment
The ministry was well represented, CCI had a representative, but there were only 30 owners in attendance. That is embarrassing.

It was very difficult for Rosario to inform condominium owners of the meeting as most condo boards would not allow his staff to post a notice in their buildings. That is a legitimate reason.

However, it is obvious that condo owners are very difficult to organize. It appears that they will only band together in building emergencies, when their fees go up or they are slapped with a huge special assessment.


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