Owner-Requisitioned Condo Meetings Are Changing in Ontario

Ontario's Condominium Act gives owners the right to requisition a meeting of owners under certain conditions. Recent legislative changes and court decisions have clarified how this process works — and what boards need to know.

What Is a Requisitioned Meeting?

A requisitioned meeting is a meeting of owners called at the request of owners rather than the board. Under the Condominium Act, owners holding at least 15% of the units can requisition a meeting to address matters within the owners' authority — including removing directors.

What's Changing

Ontario's condo legislation has been evolving. Key developments affecting requisitioned meetings include:

Clearer timelines. The Act sets out specific timelines for how quickly a board must respond to a valid requisition and call the meeting. Boards that fail to act within the required period risk owners calling the meeting themselves.

Electronic participation. Amendments have expanded the ability of owners to participate in meetings electronically, including requisitioned meetings. This affects quorum calculations and voting procedures.

Director removal. Owners can use a requisitioned meeting to remove directors. The rules around this process — including notice requirements and voting thresholds — are specific and must be followed carefully.

What Boards Should Know

Validate the requisition carefully. A requisition must meet specific requirements to be valid — including the number of units represented, the form of the request, and the matters it addresses. Boards should review any requisition with their manager and legal counsel before responding.

Respond promptly. Once a valid requisition is received, the clock starts. Boards that delay risk losing control of the meeting process.

Prepare for the meeting. A requisitioned meeting is often called in a contentious context. Boards should ensure proper notice, quorum procedures, and voting processes are in place — and consider whether legal counsel should be present.

Document everything. Minutes, notices, and voting records from a requisitioned meeting may be scrutinized later. Proper documentation protects the corporation.

For Owners

If you are considering requisitioning a meeting, understand the requirements before you begin. An invalid requisition wastes time and may damage relationships. If the matter is serious enough to warrant a meeting, it's worth getting the process right.

Your management provider and legal counsel can help you understand whether a requisition is the right tool for your situation.