TORONTO — NDP Housing critic and MPP for University–Rosedale Jessica Bell has introduced a motion for the Ford government to expand the jurisdiction and enforcement power of the province's Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) so condo residents can have their most common concerns resolved in a fast, fair, and cheap manner.
"Ontario's 1.3 million condo residents deserve to live in safe, well-maintained homes," said Bell. "The Conservative government has failed to properly regulate Ontario's condo sector, which means residents have nowhere to go but court when they face common issues, from unexplained condo fees hikes to fraudulent board elections,” Bell said.
"The jurisdiction of the Condo Tribunal must be expanded so condo residents have a fast, affordable and fair way to have their concerns heard and addressed, without spending thousands of dollars and years of their life stuck in court," Bell said.
In 2020, Ontario's Auditor General released a damning report of the province's condo sector, calling for legal and regulatory changes, including expanding the reach of the tribunal.
The Auditor General released a status report on the condo sector this week, revealing that the Ford government is dragging its heels on implementing the Auditor General’s recommendations to strengthen the tribunal and improve oversight over the condominium sector.
The Condo Tribunal only hears disputes on records maintained by condo corporations and condo owners’ rights to access those records, as well as pets, parking, storage, personal property, and nuisance issues.
Bell's motion would authorize the Tribunal to adjudicate the most common complaints residents face, including condo board governance, property management, condo fees, repairs in common areas, short-term rentals, and reserve funds.
Background
Bell’s motion reads:
That, in the opinion of this House, the Government of Ontario should expand the jurisdiction and enforcement power of the Condo Authority Tribunal so the tribunal can hear, rule and resolve the issues that most impact condo residents, including condo board governance and elections, condo rules, property management performance, condo fees, maintenance and repairs, reserve funds, and short-term rentals.