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Hot News Bulletin (12)
Hot News Bulletins are new important initiatives by the Condo Owners Association
COVID HITS TORONTO SMALL BUSINESS
HELP SUPPORT EAT & DRINK SMALL BUSINESS
Support Local Restaurants
Special Tribute to Al and John Carpone, Owners of Kit Kat - King St
Legendary KIT KAT - CLOSED DOWN !!
Where the Carpone Brothers were graced by the presence of many Celebrities and Royality over the years.
It is so very sad to think popular "Kit KAT" and Owners Al and John Carpone fell victim to COVID. So many
of our wonderful fine restaurants and other businesses have seen the wrath of this horrible pandemic.
The two brothers have been a fixture in the Community for almost 4 Decades. Kit Kat was the brother's
identity and through years of hard work and determination they were one of the best Restaurants in the Toronto
Saying good bye to Toronto has been extremely difficult when Al and his brother spent so many years, it was their
life. They were the Special light of the Community, customers became friends; friends become family over the
years. So many lives affected with the closing of Kit Kat Restaurant on King St. West Toronto.
The King of Struggle is Covid but the wrath of Mayor Tory's "King Street Closure" Pilot Project had already
provoked severe hardships for the Carpone's as it did to many small business owners along the strip. Closing
down traffic on King Street, added costs for Patio's and preventing parking. Is it the right decision to "hurt"
existing small businesses to move streetcar traffic vehicles better.
Small Business Owners have put their lives on the line for decades to support the Community
They were there before the Pilot Project - call it "Squatter's rights"
Shut Down + Covid was far beyond what any business can survive.
King Street West - Toronto, Ontario
Tel: 416-977-4461
BIA - Business Improvement Associations
Thank you to all Business Improvement Association/Organizations (BIA) in Toronto and the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA). We offer our appreciation for all of your hard work and dedication.
Ontario Business Improvement Area Assoc.
Pest Infestations n Condominiums
Let's Look at The Facts
Cochroaches lay 2 eggs hatch 50 - 100 cockroaches See more on pests
Cockroaches are one of the nastiest and smelliest in the pest community, cockroaches are some of the smelliest, too. Once cockroaches have infested your home, there is an "oily" like musty. This smell comes when the roaches have colonized and infested your home, plus there is a smell that dead roaches produce. Once a cockroach is dead, it releases an acid smell during its decomposition.
Condominium Boards have a fiduciary responsibility to abide by the Provincial Condo Act and their Corporation Declaration, By Laws and Rules - one of which prohibit unit owners from unreasonably interfering with the use or enjoyment of other owners.
A huge problem in condominiums is cockroaches so if the Board of Directors ignores a plague of bugs in common areas for a extensive time and those cockroaches find their way into Unit Owners suites it would certainly interfere with the people’s “use and enjoyment” of their unit! Sadly many Condo Boards don't want to admit the blame and prefer to shift the blame to the Owners.
Section 90(1) of the Condominium Act states that owners are responsible for maintaining their units (unless responsibility for maintenance is shifted to the corporation pursuant to section 91), and section 117 states that no person shall permit a condition to exist if the condition is likely to damage the property so considering infestation of pests, roaches, mice, rats etc. find their way into the main level common areas of a Condominium Corporation prior to hitting the unit units in a building it stands to reason that all Board of Directors, Property Management Companies and their Property Managers need to address all infestations fast and effectively immediately.
Individual Condo Board policies do exist, Owners can exercise their rights under the Condominium Act in Ontario which prohibits Condo Boards and Owners from allowing a condition to exist which will cause damage to the property, common elements and the Corporation overall. If there is a pest problem, they are obligated under Law they are required to report and address it.
Pursuant to section 17(3) of the Condominium Act, a corporation has a duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure that owners comply with the Condominium Act, Declaration, By-laws, and Rules.
The bottom line: if a unit owner alleges that there is a bug infestation in another unit which is spreading into her unit, the condominium corporation would have a duty to investigate and notify ALL unit owners. If the source of the bugs is found to in another unit and that unit’s owner refuses to deal with the situation, the Corporation must take steps to eradicate the source of infestation. Board of Director please
NOTE: Section 19 gives any person authorized by the condominium corporation the right to enter units upon giving reasonable notice, as long as it is to perform the objects and duties of the corporation or to exercise the powers of the condominium corporation. This would include entering a unit for pest control purposes. Unsuspecting Owners/Residents find themselves with a huge problem to control in their unit if the other units source is on the same floor, below and above. Condo Boards and Property Managers escalate the problem with their slow action to mediate the situation by refusing to contract Pest Control services throughout the entire building. This delay especially once they know the origin and simply do nothing about the building as a whole is a massive issue. Why would a Board do this intentionally, we have received several statements stating Boards are holding back services on pest control and on chemicals in key areas of the building like the garbage rooms etc. because they wish to save costs on their budgets. Public Health needs to be advised of this negligence and we recommend that all Condo Owners make a point of requesting full disclosure on Condo Budget in relation to all monies spent relating to Pest Control, chemicals for these key areas. Many times these costs are hidden in the overall cleaning of the building when in fact it should be a separate item.
Toronto Public Health has reported a recent increase in bed bugs in the City of Toronto and various other municipalities. Multi-unit dwellings, condominiums are high-risk locations for cockroaches, mice, rates (rodents), pests, bed bug infestations. and other existing bugs in the City. If your Condo Corporation Board of Directors has authorized any Pest Control company to spray common areas in the building, in particular your garbage and storage areas, utility rooms, superintendent areas, back alleys, anywhere in the main levels and underground areas be assure you have the culprits in the building and it will take serious concentrated efforts and several visits from Pest Control companies to gain control. Sadly most Condo Corporations, Board of Directors and Property Managers delay the action process so by the time a company is called, the roaches, insects, rodents alike will already travel into Owners/Residents suites and the problem has began.
If there is bug infestation in a unit from another unit, the condominium corporation must investigate. If the source of the bugs was already in the main level of the Corporation and Pest Control was called for those areas they Need to Take IMMEDIATE STEPS to eradicate the source of infestation.
There is an option to retain services of a dog specially trained to sniff out bed bugs.
CALL TORONTO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND REPORT YOUR CONDOMINIUM
Contact InformationToronto Public Health
Mon - Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(closed on statutory holidays)
Contact General
Telephone: 416-338-7600
TTY: 416-392-0658
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Emergency After Hours
To report a public health emergency after hours and on statutory holidays. Please ask for the on-call Public Health Manager.
Telephone: 311 (416-392-2489)
Bed Bugs
Media Inquiries
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
With 13.6 Million Ontarians and only 18,500 electric vehicles on the road, why is this being fast tracked into the Condominium Market of 1.9 million Residents in Condos?
Please See: Announcement May 1, 2018
There are new requirements for Condominiums coming into effect relating to Electric Vehicle Charging on May 1, 2018. The regulations under the Condo Act supports the installation of electric vehicle charging sysems EVCS in condos.
Newroom Announcement Ontario Government
COA re: Electric Vehicles Announcement
There are too many changes for Condo Owners and Condo Corporations. We need to deal with the important issues and understand where some changes to the Condo Act may not be working and/or have not been address. There is too much, to fast and now we have new legislation relating to electric vehicles and charging stations See New Regulation All these changes are creating a huge confusion in the Condominium world. The News Release states that there are 18,500 electric vehicles currently on the road in Ontario. Ontario is one of the 10 provinces in Canada with 40% of the Country's population. In 2018, it is recorded that there are approx. 13.6 Million people. As of October 25, 2017, CBC announced in their article titled "1.9 million Canadian households live in condos, census data shows just over two-thirds of people living in condos in 2016 were Owners according to Statistic Canada".
Condo Corporations will not have to install EV stations. Condo Corporations are exempt of Section 97 of the Act but they are required to conduct an assessment of cost and send a notice to owners with particular information. The costs to carry out the installation cannot be greater than 10% of the annual budgeted common expense and depending on certain circumstances. EV statons can be installed by an Owner are now exempt from Section 98 of the Act however this exemption will only apply If an Owner provides an application to include drawings, specifications and location info of the installation.. There are a number of factors involved and associated impacts on Status Certificates. It is an extremely complicated process.
It is not that we disagree with the Province of Ontario initiative, we have concerns that it is being pushed through prematurely. Reforming Ontario's Condo Law to include this initiative will impact Condo Buildings and could cost Condo Corporations unnecessary expenditures for a product that is not yet required. . While the Electric and Hydrogen Vehicle Incentive Program (EVHIP) is an excellent initiative, Condo Boards will need to fully understand the financial impact on their budgets. Will the cost to adapt this program be a benefits for residents? It is also noted that Residents refers to both Condo Owners and Tenants. The announcement refers to Condo Owners however what if the charging stations are utilized by Tenants, whose rental increases are subject to the Residential Tenancies Act with regulated levels on increases. Who then is responsible for the costs? Will there be allowances to use the costs in a Reserve Fund budget or is it a direct expense?
In July 2016, the Ministry of Transportation announced that 500 electric vehicle and 250 stations across the province with 24 public and private sector partners to provide public charging stations in various public places.
The COA would like to understand why the major concerns surfacing as a result of the new Condo Act and regulations. There are still important issues such as Proxy Fraud for elections and Annual General Meetings is a huge topic of concern. The COA recommended electronic balloting similar to that of our Provincial Elections whereby a 3rd party is hired and there is no conflicts of interests. A number of new concerns hit the COA daily from Condo Owners who feel their rights are constantly being taken away from them.
More information
Part of the Rem Network.com
A Blind spot in new EV charging stations rules?
Ambassador for your Condo Building?
If you would like to make changes in your building, please consider becoming a COA "Ambassador" of your building. We have identified that every Condominium needs an Ambassador to work together with the COA. There is too much going on behind the scenes in the Condo Buildings with Board of Directors and Property Management. Owners are still being misrepresented and/or ignored. Condo Annual General Meetings are still a horror movie, but who are the Villains? Sadly, too often it is the Villains winning the Game and the losers are the Condo Owners.
Condo Owners are easily mislead as they try to surf through these takeovers. Who can they trust?
One of the key problems are Proxies! Proxies should not be controlled by Property Manager or the Board of Directors. The COA has recommended "Electronic Voting" of Board Members to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. Proxies are the #1 problem in Condominiums because proxies are being forged and manipulated! The Power lies behind the closed doors of Property Management Office so how can a Condo Owner or even a legitimate Board Member compete? They can't it is that simple, it cannot be done. If your building has signs of distress you must realize you have to step out of the building for an opinion unless there is hard core evidence of wrong doing. Even then take the evidence and step out of the building.
The only solution to this problem is to have a COA Ambassador in each Condo Building! Contact COA
Associations are Important
Support your Condo Owners Association representing Condo Owners and Buyers.
There are various Association representation different sectors. Each and every one are extremely important. Below is a list of some of the Associations and whom they represent.
Condo Owners Association (COA)
......represents Condo Owners and Condo Buyers
Ontario Medical Association (OMA)
......represents our Medical Profession
Ontario Teachers Federation (OTF)
......represents our Teachers
Police Association of Ontario (PAO)
......represents our Police Officers
How Proxies Effect a Condo Election
Condo Owners please be extremely careful when you turn over your proxy to another person/s, a Condo Manager or Management Company or another 3rd party. The new licensing standards for Condo Management companies and Condo Managers prevents a Condo Manager in particular from soliciting for proxies either for voting and/or for quorum. Unfortunately, there is no exclusion at this time to prevent Condo Managers from receiving proxies and/or accepting the position as a proxy holder on behalf of an on-site or off-site Condo Owners who owns within the same Corporation where that Condo Manager represents.
The New Condominium Act and during the whole review process identified the need for licensing as a result of a thorough research into the industry. It appears as though more considerations and/or alerts need to be identified and regulated when it comes to Proxy Holders who have a conflict of interest in the voting process if there is a direct involvement with the same Condo Corporation.
It is imperative for Condo Owners to have fair and honest representation when electing candidates as a Board Members. Any manipulation relating to proxies and/or conflicts of those holding proxies can influence and control the final results of the elections. Remember candidates could be elected for up to 3 year terms and it is very difficult to remove Board Members in accordance with the Condo Act. It is best to ensure that Candidates win on their own merits and legitimate voting process.
Do you know or suspect if your condo building has this problem?
We would like to hear more from Condo Owners on this subject.
Please blog your comments on http://blog.coaontario.com/
Smoking Marijuana in Condos
Marijuana in Condos
Only a few months away, mid 2018 and marijuana is legal but how does that effect condominiums and community living. Can marijuana be banned from smoking in a Condominium Corporation if Federal Legislation allows people to consumer marijuana recreationally. Condo Boards are within their rights to bank smoking in units if they create a rule for Unit Owners to vote against it. They can quote concerns on the security and safety of the Owners and/or residents in the building and they can also take this initiative towards the Corporation / Building itself. For many years since new regulation regarding smoking came into place, there was always health concerns on 2nd hand cigarette smoke along and its negative impact on Real Estate values. Regulation hit the housing sector and also commercial entities and workplace. Grandfather rulings when creating a smoke-free policy can create a platform for present owners and/or tenants however if this policy is in place when new Owners or Tenants take possession and/or occupancy they would have to abide by the policy.
Please bare in mind there are two concerns:
1) Smoking within the unit
2) Smoking in common elements around the building.
* Common elements includes lobby, hallways, stairwell, underground, any of the amenities etc.
It would be recommended for all Landlords to ensure that they include special clauses in their Lease Agreements to cover a smoke-free environment. In todays real estate world it is common practice pertaining to cigarettes, it now has to be adjusted to include marijuana or maybe just include a clause to cover any form of smoking substance. The present Tenant Laws have seen significant changes in the last few months with the introduction of a standardized Lease Agreement in effect as of May 1, 2018. No doubt the Country is going to see significant changes and possibly legal challenges. It is important for all to understand that medical marijuana use will be permitted anywhere that cigarette smoking is allowed.
Ontario asked for your public opinion until March 2018 and the Condo Owners Association (COA) is following up now to hear your thoughts as the whole marijuana issues unfolds. There will be up to 150 stores run by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario for people 19 years and older. Private lounges are already underway and set-backs are on radar for school zone areas.
Let's hear from Condo Owners
How do you feel about recreational pot consumption in the public spaces of your condo and/or in your own condo unit?If you are a Condo Owner Investor, what precautions would you consider and do you agree with a ban on smoking marijuana in rental units?
http://blog.coaontario.com/
Air Bnb on That Channel
http://www.thatchannel.com
LIVE ON THAT CHANNEL * Announcement Media Event by D'Anise Marie
Guest: Linda Pinizzotto, COA Founder and President
Condo Owners Association COA Ontario
#COAontario and #COAtoronto urges #AirBnB to respect June 1 deadline
“We are deeply concerned that AirBnB and transient rentals in general are not regulated or legislated and believe that without any degree of this form of protection, the safety and security within condominiums may be compromised. Condominiums are personal residences and not hotels, the turnover rate involved with transient rentals affects the operations, operational expenses and value of condominium corporations. The added wear and tear on common elements is a deep concern, contribution levels on reserve funds may not be adequate. We stand behind strong, healthy condominium communities and look forward to proper implementation of regulation and legislation on all aspect to protect Condo Owners.”
SUPPORT COA CAMPAIGN on Air Bnb
As a Condo Owner if you are concerned about ghost hotels, disruptive short-term rentals or the loss of affordable housing stock in your neighbourhood? Please become a supporter of our campaign.
If you have a story to share, we would sincerely like to hear from you
Air Bnb on That Channel
That Channel is a wonderful forum supporting free speech. A way to reinvent media since 2004 and featuring Internet Television & Video Productions
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @COAontario @COAtoronto
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers Needed
| Volunteer Opportunities | |
|---|---|
| Administrative | |
| Communications and Marketing | |
| Graphics and Design | |
| Human Resources | |
| IT - Information Technology | |
| Marketing and Advertising | |
| Politics and Government Relations | |
| Project Management |
How to register to Volunteer?
- Email completed signed form : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- COA will contact you within 72 hours once they have reviewed your application.
- Note: Some rules apply relating to volunteers qualifications and acceptance.
- Thank you for volunteering to help COA.
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Volunteer as an Intern with COA
Excellent opportunity for our Youth and Young Adults to connect with each other and learn about Home Ownership. The Condo Market is exciting and interesting.
Our founder, Linda Pinizzotto created the Association with a vision for an Internship program to give our young adults and students a hands-on approach to gain life experiences towards an invaluable and rewarding future of understanding value and home ownership.
Why apply to the COA Internship Program
- Jump start your future career as a Young Adult in you City
- Network and connect with valuable professional business contacts
- Receive coaching, leadership and mentorship from experts
- Helps to develop your Career in various areas of business
- Interact with our 3 Levels of Government
- This is a volunteer Internship Program
How to Volunteer
- Complete: Student Volunteer Form
- Print and Sign Volunteer Form
- Email signed completed form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!
| Internship Opportunities | |
|---|---|
| Administrative | |
| Communications and Marketing | |
| Graphics and Design | |
| Human Resources | |
| IT - Information Technology | |
| Marketing and Advertising | |
| Politics and Government Relations | |
| Project Management |
Discounts and Savings
- COA offers special savings and benefits
See these links for our Guide
- Condo Owners Guide
- Condo Services Guide
- Email COA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New Discount on Vitamix Products
The COA is pleased to announce a "New 15% Savings plus free delivery for Condo Owners"
- Simply Email the COA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- COA will provide the discount Code to you with our Compliments
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Condo Owners Association COA partners with Skyrise Living
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More...
TRI-CAN - JCO & Associates LAR and Owners
Charged with conspiracy to commit fraud
The Competition Bureau announced that they have laid multiple criminal charges against four companies and three individuals. The charges related to an alleged conspiracy to commit fraud and rig bids for condominium refurbishment services in the GTA Greater Toronto Area issued by private condominium corporations between 2009 a nd 2014.
Click for: Full News Release Article
"The companies and individuals are charged under the Criminal Code with conspiracy to rig bids, conspiracy to commit fraud, and fraud over $5,000"
1. TRI-CAN Contract Incorporated and Owner Bob Vlahopoulos
2. JCO & Associates (912547 Ontario Inc) and Owner Jose De Oliveira
3. LAR Condominium Refurbishment Specialist
4. CPL Interiors Ltd. is also charged under conspiracy provision of Competition Act
Interesting Quick Facts
- Cracking down on cartels - Top Priority for the Competition Bureau
- Immunity and Leniency Programs - Immunity or leniency in return for cooperation
- Whistleblowing Initiatives - Info about a violation of the Competition Act
- Competition Bureau Canada - Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of Competition
Should the Province Protect Condo Buyers
on new Condo Projects?
The COA would like to hear from you
Click to Blog or Tweet COAontario COAtoronto
Condo Buyers lose hopes and dreams when doors close! Buyers are putting their life on hold buying New Construction, what risks are they facing the minute they sign on the dotted line.
COA recommended more disclosures on New Construction during the Condo Act Review. Some of our recommendations were accepted but many were not. When can Buyers feel they have protection from signing to completion. Buyers check out construction sites with excitement on a daily basis. Then all of a sudden, they have sleepless nights because something has gone wrong. Why hasn't ground broken yet, are the workers on strike, why doesn't anything look different from last week, last month? The question, concerns and distress grows daily as the unknown is yet to be announced.
- Junction Triangle Condo - Hundreds of Toronto Condo Buyers Lose Homes after development fails by John Lancaster * CBC News
- Go Mimico Development - More than 200 Condo Buyers by John Lancaster * CBC News
- Cosmos Condominiums - Developer cancels project in Vaughan - Sean O'Shea - Consumer Reporter Global News
Buyer's Beware
Does the reputation of the builder help, seems to be a key question but there is no answer until that unexpected letter comes in the mail and the inevitable future of your home slowly seeps down the drain. There is no solution on time periods either, reports of construction site closures can be at anytime and will have a variety of effects depending on the market conditions not only at the time of announcement but also the effects of the Real Estate market from the time of signing onwards. The Toronto Real Estate Market has increased 20% in the past year plus and there is ongoing market updates on continued shortage of inventory in the condo sector and increasing values.
- Toronto Real Estate's Harsh New Reality by Daniel Tencer * Huff Post
- Buying a Pre-Construction Condo Risk and Reward by Lydia McNutt * The Blog 8 Huffpost
- Consumer Protection Act
Is it a case of a Builder not receiving their "Building Permit"? Are there zoning bylaws or other restrictions impacting the building permit process. Is this a municipal issue or possibly provincial concern where the other Ministry's should get involved. We have heard numerous reports of the same issue.
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