Condo Owners Association (known as COA Ontario) was Founded on March 2010 by Linda Pinizzotto, a Toronto/Mississauga Realtor who had a vision to create the 1st Non-Profit Association to represent Condo Owners and design a mechanism for awareness and representation in the Political forefront within all levels of Government across the Province of Ontario.  There are over 1.3 Million Condo Owners who need a cohesive united voice to represent them on many important issues. COA supports the development of its members and fosters a prosperous and sustainable economic environment while contributing to the quality of life in the condo community.  

Linda's vision included a Condo Owners Association structure to represent Condo Owners in all of the Municipalities across the Province of Ontario.  The Municipalities and Regions are known as Divisions of COA Ontario and each have various Districts to identify their respective Wards.    he structure recognizes the vast amount of condominium owners and embraces various levels of government for representation in each Municipality and Region.    This structure allows a productive and communicative working environment with local Councillors, Members of Provincial Parliament, Members of Parliament and the various Ministry's of our Government. 

COA Ontario is growing steadily with additional strong commitment and dedication from bellow Board of Directors Bob Coffey, Ex Chair of KPMG and Derrick Thomas; President and CEO of ITMayDay.   Please view COA Submissions to Ministry relating to some recommendations.   COA is an active Senior Stakeholder in the Condo Act Review.  "Building a Better Condo Act"   Working to represent and advocate for Condo Owners Rights... please see quote at the bottom of the page on this Provincial website. 

Why Condo Owners need a Condo Owners Association 
 

Condo Owners are facing huge maintenance fees, problem Board of Directors and a Condo Act that needs to be updated to protect their interest.  There is a huge imbalance of the present structure which takes away the rights of Condo Owners and puts too much control in the hands of the Board of Directors therefore compromising Condo Owners rights.

The Condo Act needs changes and proper governance  ie; better Tarion Warranty Coverage,  government funded energy retrofitting plans, respect for Municipal height restrictions and no further interference from the Ontario Municipal Board; better building codes,  specific property tax assessment strictly relating to condos, a government bond with higher interest rates for condo reserve funds and education standards for Condo Board of Directors. 

The act must include compliance mandates and fines as deemed necessary (as per other acts) to insure the Boards are in compliance to the Act and Owners are protected.   We need to address the important needs of existing condominiums where prices are dropping and maintenance fees are way above the normal ratio to value. We need to review service related trades and create a defined price list for services.

Some COA Initiatives 

• Support Changes to the Condo Act working with Ministry of Consumer Services in Condo Act Review
• Meetings with MP's, MPP's and local Councillors in all Districts - across the Province of Ontario
• COA supported NDP Leader Andrea Horwath at HST Rally  Queen's Park, Toronto
• Preparing extensive reports and investigating numerous Condo Owners issues
• Meetings with Minister Margaret Best, Deputy Minister Giles Gherson
• Meetings with Hon J. Gerretson, Minister Consumer Services
• Discussions and Meetings with Andrea Horwath, NDP Leader
• Discussions on Condo Act  with Tim Hudak, Leader PC
• Meeting with John Campbell, CEO Waterfront Toronto
• Meeting with Go Transit, Metrolinx, Municipal Stakeholder Groups
• Meetings with condominium Board of Directors, Lawyers and Engineers
• Presentations to Carson Dunlop, Financial Institutions, several Corporate Firms
• City Official discussions and correspondence (Building, Zoning and By-Law Depts)
• Special Discussions with MPAC - Municipal Property Assessment Corporation- Property Taxes
• Press, Media and Political Conferences - CBC - CTV - Metro Morning - CP24 - That Channel
• Newspaper and Magazine Press Articles - Toronto Star, National Post, Local Magazines
• Social Media - 27 COA Twitter for City's across Ontario, Up-to-date Website, Videos
• COA supported NDP Leader Andrea Horwath at HST Rally  Queen's Park, Toronto

How to Apply for a COA CHAPTER

Rules and Regulations for Application for Chapters

Select a City or Region in the Province of Ontario.  Each City or Region is divided into Districts to fall in line with the local Politiical structure.   This platform provides strength and political insight into the community and allows the local District of the Chapter of the Condo Owners Association an opportunity to work within the 3 levels of Government to include the local Councillor, MPP and MP.

There are a few steps to qualify with a COA Region and another process to determine eligibibility for the growth of that City or Regions with the local Districts.

Consent and Authorization

The following Application must be submitted to COA Ontario

a) A formal letter of intent to apply for a COA Chapter within Ontario under the COA Ontario umbrella

b) Submit a description of your full understanding of COA Ontario, the local Chapter and the associated geographic area within the District of application

c)  Submit the names of the committee organizing the application to include not less then three condo owners in the district of application with at least one condo owner a member of a Board of Directors of a Condo Corporation owning a condo within the geographically permimeters of the Local Chapter Condo Corporation.  Each application must contain a maximum of five registered condo owners owning a Condo Unit in the Chapter of application and of these (three) applicants must be members of a Board of Directors in the Chapter Location at the time of application.

d)  All members must be prepared to adopt and abide by the Condo Owners Association Ontario and Condo Owners Association Local Chapters Code of Ethics for Directors.  A Copy of the COA Code is attached and outlined as Schedule "A" and all organizing committee must sign their acceptance.

e) Upon review and approval by COA Ontario, permission will be granted to process the application for the Local Chapter approval.

f)  Upon review and approval by Local Chapter, permission will be granted to process application for certification.

g)  At this time, the new Committee representing the local Districts of the new Chapter will be made available for the building of Districts.

h)  The New Chapter will have the name of the "Condo Owners Association under the applicable Chapter and in additional Chapter-Districts as they local districts grow. Approval is provided to allow the usage of the COA logo for each membered structure for COA Chapters and Districts.

g)  COA Ontario will appoint a COA Director to work with the newly appointed Chapter as a mentor in the planning and operations.  It will also be necessary to create a Mentor System for the new District with the Local Associated Chapter.

CHAPTER REQUIREMENTS

a)  The local Chapter will require active participation of all Board Members to create a base of Districts for membership within Local areas as defined by the political ward

b)  The governing Chapter body will maintained of all registered Condo Corporations

c)  Each Local Chapter shall maintain a database of Registered Condo Corporations within their Districts and provide updating to COA Ontario

d)  All COA Ontario and Local Chapters and Districts are not accepted Individual Condo Owners registration at this time

e)  All Condo Owners of Registered Condo Corporations will be eligible to receive all COA Discounts (as advertised and on websites)

f)  The Local Chapter and all associated District(s) are required to establish good business relationships with local retails and commercial outlets

DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS

a)  The local District will require active participation of all Board Members to create a membership of local condominium corporations within their geographic District.

b)  A list will be maintained of all registered Condo Corporations and provided to governing Local Chapter and governing body of COA Ontario.

c)  Each Local District shall maintain a database of Registered Condo Corporations within their District and provide this list to their Local Chapter at the time of registration.

d)  Local Districts and Chapters are not accepted Individual Condo Owners registration at this time

e)  All Condo Owners of Registered Condo Corporations will be eligible to receive all COA Discounts (as advertised and on websites)

f)  The Local District is required to establish good business relationships with local retails and commercial outlets

Please proceed to:   "Getting Started" for all details

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