Minister Announces New Condo Regulations and Survey

October 12, 2017
We commend the Government of Alberta on the implementation of the first phase of improved regulations and on the commencement of the next phase of consultation on the amendments to the Condominium Property Act Regulation.
Condo Owners look forward to continuing to work with Government and Industry in a positive way to improve the regulation of condominiums in Alberta.

This is an important milestone in the modernization of condominium legislation in Alberta. The world has changed a great deal since the last Condominium Property Act was brought in – in 2000.
Many people don’t realize that there are an estimated 440,000 condo units in the Province and almost one third of all housing is now condominium style: the fastest growing type of housing in Alberta.

For most families, our homes represent a very large portion of our wealth. We need improved governance and management because current condo governance is not consistent with that of other our other investments, like pension plans or RRSP’s.
While updated Government legislation is strongly needed in Alberta, our Team is also focused on helping Condo Owners learn more about the complexities of condo living and how they can contribute to their own condominium communities. Owners have an important role in their own management of their communities: we can’t leave it all up to Government!

Three key issues facing most condominium corporations are:
1. Dispute resolution: This is our highest priority! We need more effective ways to solve disputes. The new legislation in Ontario and British Columbia both have relatively inexpensive and effective systems to address disputes between Owners or between condominium corporations and Owners. The courts are generally expensive and frequently result in lose-lose results.
2. Complacency: Similar to the complacency we see in other levels of Government, frequently condo owners do not participate in the management of their corporations by showing up at meetings or otherwise supporting their Corporations.
3. Education: While updated Government legislation is strongly needed in Alberta, our Team is also focused on helping Condo Owners learn more about the complexities of condo living and how they can contribute to their own condominium communities.
Condo governance and management are complex.

We recently provided detailed suggestions to Minister McLean, the Minister of Service Alberta in a 32-page submission.

On behalf of Condo Owners Forum, I would like to thank Minister McLean and her staff for the opportunity to be here today.

Terry Gibson  for The Condo Owners Forum

for a full information on the Government’s announcement please click on this Service Alberta Link