In the last few years, we have tackled such diverse topics as fair property taxation, and the elimination of double taxation for guest suites and superintendent units. We continue to lobby for reform to our tax system to provide a more fair and representative property tax system for the benefit of every individual owner.

CCI-T has been instrumental in the reform of many pieces of legislation, and we are currently working with all other stakeholders on reform to The Condominium Act. Those stakeholders include individual unit owners, Condominium Board members, lawyers, engineers, accountants, property managers, and other professionals who service the Condominium market. Our taskforces have spent thousands of volunteer hours from hundreds of those experts, and people in the know, to provide the Ontario Government with a comprehensive study of what is working, and what is not, together with well researched solutions to virtually every problem. CCI does not think that simply identifying the problems is enough, so we continued to work to find solutions. We have forged understandings with every other sector of the Condominium market to find solutions that consider all viewpoints and find a balance in the rights and powers that will be written into the new legislation.

During this time of obvious legislative change, it is very important for our members to remain steadfast in their belief and support of our mission. To that end, we are calling upon all members to renew their membership with CCI-T for 2012-2013. Many members have already done so – and we thank you for that support. If you have not yet sent in your renewal though, we urge you to do so today!

This will be a pivotal year not only due to the legislative changes that the Ministry has indicated will be coming soon, but this year has also been designated by CCI-T as the Year of Education. CCI-T feels strongly that education for Directors is so vital to improving condominium living that for the coming year every condominium corporation that renews their membership will receive two complimentary course registrations for our Level 101 course. (See details with your renewal notice or online)

While other entities may try and garner support for their individual causes, we believe that individual causes will cloud the direction that needs to be taken to create a more vibrant, more equitable condominium market. CCI is able to prove itself from the strength of leadership, representation and education that CCI has provided to its members for over thirty years.

We appreciate your ongoing support, and will continue to represent you with an open mind, a clear purpose, and a unified voice.

Thank you for showing your support for CCI.

Sincerely,
Bill Thompson BA, RCM, ACCI, FCCI
President, CCI Toronto & Area Chapter

While the Act in many ways is a significant improvement from the earlier statute, it is the belief of CCI-T/ ACMO that it is now in need of modernization. This is especially so given the recent explosive growth in condominiums in Ontario: we estimate there are more than 1.3 million Ontarians living in 6,700 residential condominium corporations (and 2,300 additional commercial and industrial corporations) – a dramatic increase since the Act received Royal Assent in 1998.

In preparing the Brief, we drew upon the knowledge of every sector of the condominium world, including owners, engineers, developers, property managers, auditors and lawyers, and had the participation of both the CCI Ontario Caucus (all seven Ontario CCI Chapters) and ACMO. We will continue to draw upon this collective knowledge to develop more suggested amendments to the Act and also to the Regulations.

On behalf of our members, we appreciate the opportunity to make this submission and look forward to being part of the process of the development of a new Condominium Act which will continue Ontario’s leadership in this important area.

Bill Thompson, BA, RCM, ACCI, FCCI
CCI Toronto President