Condo Owners Association COA

Condo Owners Association (known as COA Ontario) was Founded on March 2010 by Linda Pinizzotto, a Toronto/Mississauga Realtor who had a vision to create the 1st Non-Profit Association to represent Condo Owners and design a mechanism for awareness and representation in the Political forefront within all levels of Government across the Province of Ontario.  There are over 1.3 Million Condo Owners who need a cohesive united voice to represent them on many important issues. COA supports the development of its members and fosters a prosperous and sustainable economic environment while contributing to the quality of life in the condo community.  

Linda's vision included a Condo Owners Association structure to represent Condo Owners in all of the Municipalities across the Province of Ontario.  The Municipalities and Regions are known as Divisions of COA Ontario and each have various Districts to identify their respective Wards.    he structure recognizes the vast amount of condominium owners and embraces various levels of government for representation in each Municipality and Region.    This structure allows a productive and communicative working environment with local Councillors, Members of Provincial Parliament, Members of Parliament and the various Ministry's of our Government. 

COA Ontario is growing steadily with additional strong commitment and dedication from bellow Board of Directors Bob Coffey, Ex Chair of KPMG and Derrick Thomas; President and CEO of ITMayDay.   Please view COA Submissions to Ministry relating to some recommendations.   COA is an active Senior Stakeholder in the Condo Act Review.  "Building a Better Condo Act"   Working to represent and advocate for Condo Owners Rights... please see quote at the bottom of the page on this Provincial website. 

Why Condo Owners need a Condo Owners Association 
 

Condo Owners are facing huge maintenance fees, problem Board of Directors and a Condo Act that needs to be updated to protect their interest.  There is a huge imbalance of the present structure which takes away the rights of Condo Owners and puts too much control in the hands of the Board of Directors therefore compromising Condo Owners rights.

The Condo Act needs changes and proper governance  ie; better Tarion Warranty Coverage,  government funded energy retrofitting plans, respect for Municipal height restrictions and no further interference from the Ontario Municipal Board; better building codes,  specific property tax assessment strictly relating to condos, a government bond with higher interest rates for condo reserve funds and education standards for Condo Board of Directors. 

The act must include compliance mandates and fines as deemed necessary (as per other acts) to insure the Boards are in compliance to the Act and Owners are protected.   We need to address the important needs of existing condominiums where prices are dropping and maintenance fees are way above the normal ratio to value. We need to review service related trades and create a defined price list for services.

Some COA Initiatives 

• Support Changes to the Condo Act working with Ministry of Consumer Services in Condo Act Review
• Meetings with MP's, MPP's and local Councillors in all Districts - across the Province of Ontario
• COA supported NDP Leader Andrea Horwath at HST Rally  Queen's Park, Toronto
• Preparing extensive reports and investigating numerous Condo Owners issues
• Meetings with Minister Margaret Best, Deputy Minister Giles Gherson
• Meetings with Hon J. Gerretson, Minister Consumer Services
• Discussions and Meetings with Andrea Horwath, NDP Leader
• Discussions on Condo Act  with Tim Hudak, Leader PC
• Meeting with John Campbell, CEO Waterfront Toronto
• Meeting with Go Transit, Metrolinx, Municipal Stakeholder Groups
• Meetings with condominium Board of Directors, Lawyers and Engineers
• Presentations to Carson Dunlop, Financial Institutions, several Corporate Firms
• City Official discussions and correspondence (Building, Zoning and By-Law Depts)
• Special Discussions with MPAC - Municipal Property Assessment Corporation- Property Taxes
• Press, Media and Political Conferences - CBC - CTV - Metro Morning - CP24 - That Channel
• Newspaper and Magazine Press Articles - Toronto Star, National Post, Local Magazines
• Social Media - 27 COA Twitter for City's across Ontario, Up-to-date Website, Videos
• COA supported NDP Leader Andrea Horwath at HST Rally  Queen's Park, Toronto

Seniors need assistance; in particular to the availability of answers to questions they may have and/or a support system geared to Seniors in condominiums. Many Seniors, especially those with a chronic condition may be in their units and not have a support system in the event of a serious alert of medical issues.

Seniors over the age of 65 are the fastest growing users of the internet.   The internet helps them to keep in touch with their family and friends and day-to-day activity such as banking and obtaining information on health related questions.  At the present time there is a digital consumer application called Mi-health which helps individuals to take better control of their health but it will not help in emergency situations in Condominiums. Ideally with the growing popularity of medic alert devices consideration should be taken by Builders and our Ministry of Health to implement a specific device for emergency situations in Condominiums both for Seniors and other Condo Dwellers. At present there are no Health and Safety Mandates in Condominiums defined in the Condo Act.

The Ministry of Consumers Services has been approached by COA - Condo Owners Association to take into account the various Ministry's to ensure that all aspects relating to proper governance, health and safety and proper Municipal regulations be reviewed and recommendations be brought forward. The recommendations would be geared to specific relating to the operations of a Condominium. Example: Health and Safety Mandates for spas and swimming pools; specific guidelines relating to Hoarders as a Health issue.

Each Condo had to confirm compliance with the AODA - Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act however the Government almost missed the boat with Condominiums when they recently mandated new guidelines as of JANUARY 2012 enforcing up to a $50,000 per day or part day for Directors and Officers, and fines of up to $100,000 per day for Corporations not in compliance with the AODA. A Condo Corporation does fall under the AODA for compliance therefore recognizing a higher possibility of Seniors in Condominiums who may require assistance It is a growing concern and the Condo Review process should be including the entire situation of Seniors in Condominiums and also recognize the implementation of stronger guidelines relating to the AODA

ABOUT THE CONDO OWNERS ASSOCIATION (COA Ontario)

The Condo Owners Association (COA) was formed in March 2010 as a non-profit Association to represent Condominium Owners across the Province of Ontario.   COA is Ontario's most influential voice in the Condo Owner community. 
The Association is stewarded by a Board of Directors with a wealth of condominium knowledge to help promote and advocate for strong condominium communities.  We are recognized by the Provincial and Municipal Government offering invaluable assistance and advice in relation to all condominiums. 

Linda Pinizzotto, an award-winning , well known Realtor, Entrepreneur founded the Condo Owners Association (COA), a non profit Association in March 2010    Linda strongly believed Condo Owners were not protected by the Ontario Provincial Legislation, the "Condominium Act 1998" .   It was 12 years old and considering the substantial Condo Growth evolving in Toronto, the "Condo Act" lacked enforcement, accountability, governance and regulation of Board of Directors and a lack of protection for Condominium Corporations.  Condo Property Management Companies and Condo Managers did not have mandatory licensing and/or any Government standards yet are hired by the Board of Directors as an agent of the Board to assist with fulfilling its responsibilities to manage the building and carry out policies as per the Condo Board but not a member of the Board.  They both must operate in compliance to the Condo Act.   Condominiums Corporations and Board of Directors are governed by the declaration, by-laws and rules of the corporation in accordance with the Condominium Act.    Linda was Knighted by the Order of St George in 2014 as a Distinguished Dame of the Order as a result of her "chivalry to support the common cause to helping people in need".   COA supports Condo Owners and thriving sustainable Condo Communities.   Today the Condo Act is constantly being updated by the Ministry to adjust to the evolving times between operations and management of aging condos throughout to the Development of New and understanding changes in demographics, population and generational groups.

March 2010 - June 2012, the COA advocated the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services to support a Condo Act Review to overhaul the Condo Act.   The McGuinty Government launched a Condo Act Review Consultation with the intention to "Build a Better Condo Act" and support important changes to the Condo Act was launched in June 12, 2012 to modernize the Condominium Act 1998, so it reflects the current and future needs of Owners, Residents and other stakeholders in Condominium Communities and to address the booming and evolving industry.  The Condo Owners Association (COA) was a member of the "Condo Act Review Panel" for all three Phases of the review.   Collaborative Public Engagement process McGuinty announced his resignation in 2012, and Wynne replaced McGuinty at that time but the engagement process continued from 2012 - 2014 as a part of the Condominium Act Review.  The Protecting Condominium Owners Act, 2015 received Royal Assent on December 3, 2014 as the first overhaul of the Province's condo law in over 16 years!  At the same time the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015 ("CMSA") was also implemented.   

COA'S hard fought advocacy for Condo Owners back in 2010 to "Get the ball rolling" continues to keep it moving!   

There are Four Phases of Regulatory changes.  Transitional rules for Condo Act Amendments came into force in 2017.   Please see Ontario Newsroom and Ministry Announcements

2001 May 02    Bulletin 2001 - 1 Condominium Act, 1998
2012 June 12   Build a Better Condo Act
2015 Dec 3      Regulation under the Condominium Act, 1998
2017 July 25    Ontario Implementing New Protections for Condo Residents announced
2017 Sept 01   New Condominium Authority Now in Service to Protect Residents



The COA stays active addressing all issues relating to condominiums are various Stakeholder groups such as:

1. Meeting Provincial MPP's, Ministry's, Municipalities & Councillors in various Cities
2. Meetings with Financial Institutions, condo service providers and related Associations
3. Stakeholder on the Condominium Act Review of the Ministry
4. Stakeholder on Consumer Council of Canada
5. Stakeholder on Fire Marshal Review of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
6. Stakeholder for Home Protection Centre, Storm water Sewer System Review etc.
7. Meetings with MPAC, Insurance Firms, Energy Waste Companies
8. Participated in Trade Shows, Charities Organizations and Non-Profit Associations
9. Worked with the Ontario Real Estate and other Associations,
10. Worked with BIA's, Rate Payers Associations, Board's of Trades across the Province
11. Working on behalf of Condo Owners, Buyers and the General public
12. Met with countless condo corporations and service related trades
13. COA appeared at the National Home Show & Canada Blooms, International Home Show
14. COA Sponsors at Home Show included food waste concept with Clorox Canada,
15. COA Sponsors included CIBC,  Bank of Montreal, Geep Global Recyling and others

Condo Owners Association (COA)

 ......represents Condo Owners and Condo Buyers

COA supports Charities and Non Profits

The Condo Owners Association recognizes how Charitable Organizations and Non Profit Associations play an important role in everyone’s lives.

SUPPORT UKRAINE -   Condo Owners in Ontario please unite and support the Red Cross with their Humanitarian Crisis in the Ukraine.   All are working together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and its partners,  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).   
Please DONATE:    

 

Athletes

Children

Believe in Kids - Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls clubs

Darling Home for Kids www.darlinghomeforkids.ca

Sleeping Children Around the World www.scaw.org

Health

Prostrate Cancer Canada  www.prostratecancer.ca

 

CHARITIES

United Way Oakville   http://www.uwoakville.org

United Way Mississauga   http://www.unitedwaypeel.org

United Way   http://www.unitedway.ca

NON PROFITS

Mississauga Heritage Society http://www.heritagemississauga.com/index.php

Look Good Feel Better https://www.lgfb.ca

Armagh http://armaghhouse.ca

Women’s Shelter Gift Basket Campaign http://www.annualbasketdrive.ca

Freedom Walk http://www.forfreedomsake.myevent.com/participant/20397

The Compass www.thecompass.ca

Ian Anderson House www.ianandersonhouse.com

Robert Land Academy www.rla.ca