Ontario Condo Governance Changes Are Coming
Ontario's condominium sector has seen significant legislative activity in recent years, and more changes are on the way. Boards and owners who stay informed are better positioned to adapt — and to hold their management providers accountable for keeping up.
What's Already Changed
The Protecting Condominium Owners Act and subsequent amendments have introduced:
- Mandatory licensing for condominium managers and management companies through the CMRAO
- Enhanced owner rights, including improved access to records and clearer dispute resolution pathways through the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT)
- Updated AGM and meeting requirements, including expanded electronic participation
- Stronger reserve fund and financial disclosure requirements
What's Coming
Ontario continues to consult on further amendments. Areas under active discussion include:
Governance modernization. Proposals to update voting procedures, proxy rules, and electronic meeting requirements to reflect how owners actually want to participate.
Enforcement improvements. Strengthening the tools available to the CAT and CMRAO to address non-compliant corporations and managers.
Owner education. Initiatives to improve owner awareness of their rights and responsibilities.
Climate and sustainability. Emerging requirements around energy reporting, EV charging infrastructure, and building performance standards that will affect condominium corporations.
What Boards Should Do
Stay connected to your management provider. A good manager tracks legislative changes and advises boards proactively. If your manager isn't keeping you informed, that's a gap worth addressing.
Engage with industry associations. ACMO, CCI, and CAI all provide education and advocacy on legislative issues. Board members who engage with these organizations are better informed.
Review your governing documents. As legislation evolves, some provisions in older declarations and by-laws may become inconsistent with current requirements. Periodic legal review is worthwhile.
Plan ahead. Legislative changes often come with transition periods. Boards that plan ahead avoid last-minute scrambles.
The condo sector in Ontario is maturing. The governance expectations placed on boards and managers are rising. Staying informed isn't optional — it's part of the job.