Ontario’s Minister of Consumer Services, the Hon. Margarett Best, was a guest speaker last week at the real estate section of the Ontario Bar Association’s annual Institute. She spoke on the topic of "Do we need a new Condominium Act?"
The topic is timely, even though our Condo Act celebrated its 10th year in force just last year. Several parties have indicated displeasure with various aspects of the Act for some time and a lot has changed in 10 years.
Naturally, representatives of the real estate and condo law bars attended this special event, as did stakeholders like the Canadian Condominium Institute (represented by legislative commitee chair Armand Conant) and Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (represented by President Dean McCabe). See photo of the principal ringleaders, at bottom.
Like many conferences these days, the OBA Institute featured some live tweeting from participants in the sessions. Here’s a recap of some of the best tweets of the Minister’s address.
I’m at real property session at @OBAToday‘s #Institute2012 to hear @OntarioConsumer minster @MargarettBest on “Do we need a new Condo Act?”
— Chris Jaglowitz (@chrisjaglowitz) February 9, 2012
This morning’s Real Property Law, Condominiums, Clients and Closings: Handling a New Condo Purchase at #Institute2012 twitter.com/OBAtoday/statu…
— Ontario Bar Ass. (@OBAtoday) February 9, 2012
Minister Best addressing the OBA on the status of the Condominium Act. yfrog.com/odc3tkfj
— ACMO News (@ACMOnews) February 9, 2012
. @ontarioconsumer minister @MargarettBest takes the stage at #institute2012. twitter.com/chrisjaglowitz…
— Chris Jaglowitz (@chrisjaglowitz) February 9, 2012
Best: Condo ownership and purchase stats way up.Est. 525k dwelling units in Ont. #institute2012
— Chris Jaglowitz (@chrisjaglowitz) February 9, 2012
Minister Best: condominiums in ontario have evolved since Act was written
— ACMO News (@ACMOnews) February 9, 2012
Best: Condos have evolved since Condo Act 1998.Time for review. Input recd from CCI and @ACMOnews and condo lawyers.
— Chris Jaglowitz (@chrisjaglowitz) February 9, 2012
.@margarettbest: Condo owners survey reveals problems with several aspects of condo operation and management. #institute2012
— Chris Jaglowitz (@chrisjaglowitz) February 9, 2012
Minister Best: "governments job is to assess the needs and respond…"
— ACMO News (@ACMOnews) February 9, 2012
Best: @ontarioconsumer responsible to ensure consumers are properly informed, treated, but must balance interests of builders.
— Chris Jaglowitz (@chrisjaglowitz) February 9, 2012
Best: Gov’t seeks input from stakeholders like @OBAtoday, condo law bar to help update Condo Act. @ACMOnews too! #institute2012
— Chris Jaglowitz (@chrisjaglowitz) February 9, 2012
All stakeholders will be heard as the Government moves forward in reviewing the current Condominium Act says Minister Best
— ACMO News (@ACMOnews) February 9, 2012
Minister confirms review of Act is ongoing but stops short of providing timeline for drafting changes
— ACMO News (@ACMOnews) February 9, 2012
Addressed the Ontario Bar Association Institute — re the evolution of condos in Ontario and our government’s review of the Condominium Act.
— Margarett Best (@MargarettBest) February 9, 2012
With @deanmccabe and Armand Conant at OBA #Institute2012. twitter.com/chrisjaglowitz…
— Chris Jaglowitz (@chrisjaglowitz) February 9, 2012