How Proxies Effect a  Condo Election

COA provides condominium information to help Condominium Owners and Buyers.     

Founder President CEO of the Condo Owners Association, Linda Pinizzotto is a Registered Real Estate Sales Representative and has provided the COA with this condo information section.  She is an Award Winning Realtor,  Government Relations Chair and Director of a local Real Estate Board and provides consumer awareness on her Condo Radio Show.  Whether you own or are considering to buy a low-rise or high-rise apartment condominium; a stacked townhouse or standard townhouse; a commercial condominium or  land; protect yourself and read this very important information.

Buying a Condominium - New Vs Resale Condominium Purchases

• Buying a Condominium
• Buying a Condo on the Resale market
• Buying a New Condo from a Builder
• Understanding Mortgages
• Condominium Investors
• How Maintenance Fees affects Value
• How Low Reserve Funds affects Value
• Hi-Ratio Mortgages CMHC vs Genworth Canada
• Ontario's Condo Guide
• Market Outlook

NEW REGULATION

• Explaining the Condo Act
• Condominium Authority of Ontario CAO
• CAO Forms
• Condo Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario CMRAO
• CMRAO Submit a Complaint on Property Manager and Management Companies 

• Board of Directors and Responsibilities
• Condo Management Licensing
• Maintenance Fees and Draft Pie of Expenditures
• Hydro Facts
• Financials of a Condominium
• Turnover Meeting and Annual General Meetings
• Voting and Proxies
• Condominium Insurance Policies
• Insurance Coverage Building
• Board of Directors changing Deductibles
• Insurance Coverage Owner
• Fire & Safety Carbon Monoxide Legislation
• Frequently Asked Questions

GOVERNMENT LINKS

• Government Links - MP's MPP's Councillors Legislature and info below
• Canadian Human Rights Act Government of Canada
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities AODA
• Landlord and Tenant Board
• Residential Tenancy Act
• Law Society of Ontario
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
• Tarion Warranty and other sites
• Ontario Building Code
• Ontario Watchdog  --- Ombudsman Ontario 1-800-263-1830  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Superior Court Rulings

• Superior Court of Canada
• CanLII The Canadian Legal Information Institute
• 20M Fraud by Property Management Firm
• Superior Court fines Board Members personally 

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM CONDO OWNERS

We have been invited by Minister Best of The Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Services to participate with "Building a Better Condo Act" which is a condo reform to ensure better protection and governance for Condo Owners.

Mention has been made on the importance of hiring a good property management company and how they may influence a well-maintained Condo and keep maintenance lower.  COA has submitted an extensive report to the Ministry.  It is important for Condo Owners to understand that the Property Manager only impliments decisions of the Board of Directors as the Contracted Property Management company employee.  Recommendations are extremely important however Condo Board Members need to be informed and aware that they have a fiduciary duty to comply to the Condo Act when making decisions on behalf of the Corporation therefore must accept responsibilities of their decisions and not leave it in the hands of their Property Manager.   The Board of Directors have too much power no doubt and many of them abuse the power and do not comply to the Condo Act.  The Condo Act is self-governed which is the largest single problem of the Act and it needs to contain diciplinary and a fine process for those who do not comply to the Act.  It is no different from the various other Acts in affect  Example... Traffic Act, Human Rights Act, Accessibility Act, Health and Safety Act.  As it stands now it leaves a wide open space for too much control and abusive power for bad Board of Directors and unfortunately the good Boards who run the affairs of the Corporation in compliance and in good faith are affected.

We need ALL CONDO OWNERS ACROSS THE PROVINCE to join COA and also write to the Ministry to force 1) Governance and mandate compliance 2) One Declaration to comply to the Condo Act so there no confusion and written in every day language  3) a Reporting system for Condo Owners to report abusive Boards  4)  The reporting mechanism should not be comprised of  ie. Property Managements, Condo  Lawyers, Developers and Builders because of the conflict of interest of trade relating to Condominiums   5) Our government needs to arrange a Reserve Fund Bond available for all Corporations at high rates  6)  Special Condo Building incentives administered by our Government relating to energy efficiency etc should be identified and developed as a cost savings for Buidings in particular the older buildings

COA has offered a number of improvement required in the Condo Act  They are geared to identifying the problems of high maintenance fees which ultimately reduces value of the Buildings and Condo Owners are slowly losing their equity.   Condo Owners have to get involved, get educated, join COA and work together towards a stronger and financially secure Condo Market.    We stand firm on providing the strongest possible assistance to help Condo Owners and support extensive changes in the Condo Act

ABOUT THE CONDO OWNERS ASSOCIATION (COA)?

The Condo Owners Association is a reg. non profit Association representing the best interest of all Condo Owners in Ontario with Chapters in each City across the Province.

ARE YOU ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN A CONDO CORPORATION?

Condominium Board of Directors who have approved "Membership" into the Condo Owners Association (COA)  understand the importance of managing the affairs of your Condo Corporation in compliance to the Provincial Condominium Act, 1998.

Click Here for: Introduction Letter & Request for Membership COA (PDF)

Click Here for: Application Membership Form For Condo Corporation (PDF)

CONDO OWNERS

IS YOUR CONDO CORPORATION A MEMBER OF CONDO OWNERS ASSOCIATION?

If your Condo Corporation is not a member of COA;  ask your Board of Directors "WHY NOT?

The cost is only $1.00 per unit owner (per year)  per building   ie. If you have 300 Unit Owners;  the cost is only $300.00 per year

If your Board of Directors refuses to join COA,  then their Condo Owners can join on their own at $10 per year. 

ARE YOU A PROPERTY MANAGER?

All Property Managers should tell their Board of Directors about Condo Owners Association (COA) and support its membership.

RETURN TO JOIN COA MEMBERSHIP

COA - Condo Owners Association Ontario

BYLAWS AND PROCEDURE

a)  The Chapters and Local Districts must make a commitment on behalf of their Chapter or District  and pass resolutions of their dedication and commitment to COA.

b)  The Chapters and Local Districts must agree to follow the policies, procedure and protocol of COA Ontario and adopt their Code of Ethics for COA Directors.

c)  The Chapters and Local Districts must sign acceptance of the By-law to govern COA Ontario which embodies all COA Chapters and Districts.

MEMBERSHIPS, MEMBERSHIP DRIVE, SPECIAL EVENTS AND SEMINARS

The Chapters and Local Districts must submit a formal request to COA Ontario for the following:

1)  A plan for their membership drive in their local District

2)  A plan for potential seminars and potential locations for same

3)  The COA Mentor program will be contacted for assistance at any time

4)  All COA membership fees msut be payable to COA Ontario

ADDRESS AND BANKING

1)  The Chapters and Local Districts must create an address to serve the new Chapter and/or District, a post office box is recommended to avoid address changes

2)  Set up a bank account in the name of the Local Chapter and/or District.  Identify two or three of the organizing committee to have signing authority

Please proceed to:   "Maintaining Certification" for all details

GETTING STARTED

1)  Set a date for your first meeting with the first order of business to adopt the COA By-Laws of the local Chapter and COA Ontario.

2)  The organizing committee shall be deemed the new Board of Directors for the local District.  The Board of Directors shall vote amongst themselves for the following positions:

President; Treasurer;  Secretary and if more than three Directors; a Membership and Communications Director.

3)  Create a list of District Directors to include their Position, Name, Address, Contact Numbers and Email Address.  Provide a copy to the local Chapter and COA Ontario.

4)  Prepare a Strategic Planning seminar

The Strategic Planning Seminar should define:

• Names of board and positions (i.e. President, Treasurer, etc)
• Possible list of committees (i.e. newsletter, education, website, etc) and names of each committee chair
• A List of Chapters and contact information of same
• A List of COA Ontario Executive Directors contact information of same
• A committee for media, press, newsletters and other means of communication
• Name and address of bank where District account is held

District to work with Local Chapter for all Press and Media Functions and also to include:

• Public seminars
• Membership recruitment booths
• Education Courses
• Newsletter or print, TV and Radio press

5)  Certification and recertification of a COA Chapter will allow the chapter to use the COA name and logo. However upon de-certification, that right will end.

6) The COA Board of Directors shall have the right to vary any of the requirements for certification or recertification based upon the special circumstances of any chapter, from time to time.

7) COA Ontario Board of Directors shall have the right to change and/or adjust requirements for certification or recertification based upon the circumstances of any chapter and/or District from time to time.

8)  COA Ontario Board of Directors shall have the right to implement related costs for membership of the related Chapters and Districts.

9)  Websites:  Please Note: COA Ontario will include a Chapter web site page for new Chapters upon certification and the local Chapter will include a District site page for new Districts.  The chapter will be responsible for adding content and monitoring the site for all Districts associated with that Chapter.   A Chapter can create its own web site at any time but must obtain approval from COA Ontario and ensure the design is in keeping with the layout and standards of COA Ontario.  In the event that a Chapter creates its own web site, that Chapter will be solely responsible for any costs.  COA Ontario is to have full right to link directly to all associated Chapters and if applicable their websites.

Districts Websites:  A District can create its own web site at any time but must obtain approval from their local Chapter and COA Ontario to ensure the design is in keeping with the layout and standards of COA Ontario.  In the event that a District creates its own web site, that District will be solely responsible for any costs.  COA Ontario is to have full right to link directly to all associated Districts and Chapters (if applicable

Please proceed to:   "Bylaws & Procedures" for all details

COA ONTARIO - CHAPTERS BY COUNTIES

COA is accepting applications from Condo Owners in these areas.

Please refer to: How to Apply Chapter

Working Together with the COA 

The Condo  Owners Association structure was designed to embrace a voice for Condo Owners at the Provincial level and with local MP's and MPP's in each Riding and the local Councillors in each Ward of the City.  COA also works directly with the Mayors and City Staff and other Representatives relating to various issues and new regulatory process/changes relating to condominiums



MP's  - The Members of Parliament

1. MP's are elected to the Canadian House of Commons
2. Each COA Districts (Ridings) works with MP representative
3. ie Ottawa has 308 seats in the Canadian House of Commons
4. View MP Seats at Parliament Hill 

1. 107 Seats for MPP's who serve the Legislative Assembly of Ontario 
2. MPP's have a Toronto office at Queen's Park and a constituency office. 
3. View MPP seats in your riding

1. Represent their Local Wards within their City.
2. These Wards represent the COA Districts. 
3. List of Ontario Municipalities - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

COA TORONTO Division and Related District

There are 26 COA Divisions across the Province of Ontario located in various Cities and Towns.   Each of these have various Districts also known as their Political Riding and/or Municipal Ward.

COA Districts Design  Click for City of Toronto Districts Graph
 

1. Districts are known by their Political Riding and Municipal Ward. 
2. Example:  COA Toronto has 44 Districts
3. Each Toronto District has a Councillor, MPP and MP
4. MPP's on the Provincial level at Queen's Park
5. MP's on the Federal level at  Queen's Park and Parliament Hill  
6. Councillor represents City/Municipal issues at City Hall.

   COA TORONTO - GTA       

   (reg. non-profit Association)

   Click here for: www.COAToronto.com     

COA Ontario and all COA Chapters throughout the Province to include COA Toronto formed to address the shortfalls of the Condo Act as per Bill 186 and to advocate change by creating a strong and persuasive voice in the community to all levels of Government.  

The Condo Owners Association (commonly known as COA) represents all Condo Owners registered through their independent Condo Corporations.  

COA TORONTO was established under the umbrella of COA Ontario.  To represent Condo Owners Province wide it became necessary to create districts within each City.    In the City of Toronto there are 12 COA Districts representing 44 Wards as per the Federal and Provincial Political Ridings. 

COA Toronto Districts are broken down by Districts aligning the areas in conjunction with each particular Ward to develop a close working relationship with the local Counsellor, MPP and MP.  The same structure defines the City's around the Province within the Condo Owners Association for Ontario. 

 Click to View COA Districts of Toronto Chapter below:

 They parallel with the local wards from the map below

COA TORONTO Districts