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Happy New Year!
January 1, 2022 is DHA’s fifth anniversary! So, I thought this year’s message would include a look back at some of the events we’ve reported on so far.
2017
| January 1, 2017: | DHA’s Birthday! |
| April 3, 2017: | Justice Cunningham releases his final report recommending extensive changes to Tarion. |
| May 15, 2017: | DHA moves to Suite 300 at 50 O’Connor (still as a sub-tenant of Nelligan O’Brien Payne). |
| September 2017: | Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) is “Up and Running”. |
| November 1, 2017: | Phase I amendments to Condominium Act come into force. |
| November 1, 2017: | Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) begins dealing with applications in relation to records. |
| November 1, 2017: | Condominium Management Services Act (CMSA) also comes into force. |
2018
| February 28, 2018: | Deadline for condominiums to make first registrations with CAO. |
| February 28, 2018: | DHA moves to 410 Laurier. |
| March 30, 2018: | Deadline for condominium managers to apply for their first licenses. |
| March 31, 2018: | Deadline for first condominium returns. |
| April 30, 2018: | Introduction of new Mandatory Tenancy Agreement form for Residential Tenancies. |
| May 1, 2018: | New Regulations for Electrical Vehicles Charging Stations in condominiums. |
| July 1, 2018: | New Construction Act (including new lien periods) comes into force. |
| August 1, 2018: | City of Ottawa introduces new tax on short-term rentals. |
| October 17, 2018: | Cannabis now legal in Canada for persons 18 and older. |
2019
| October 2019: | Ontario’s Auditor General releases Special Audit on Tarion. |
| November 27, 2019: | Ottawa City Council approves proposal for new restrictions on short-term tenancies. |
2020
| January 1, 2020: | Responsibility for Forms under Condominium Act delegated to CAO. |
| January 1, 2020: | Claim limit in Small Claims Court increased to $35,000. |
| March 11, 2020: | World Health Organization declares worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. |
| March 17, 2020: | Ontario Premiere Doug Ford declares state of emergency (followed by numerous emergency orders in relation to the pandemic). |
| March 24, 2020: | Province of Ontario declares closure of non-essential workplaces. |
| March 2020 to present: | The Pandemic leads to various restrictions on permitted activities and gatherings, requirements for wearing of masks, eventual re-opening followed by re-closing, etc. |
| April 9, 2020: | DHA launches Condopedia Podcast. |
| May 31, 2020: | New Logo for DHA. |
| October 1, 2020: | CAT’s jurisdiction expanded to include most issues related to animals, parking, and storage in condominiums. |
| October 9, 2020: | DHA launches new website. |
| November 5, 2020: | Nancy Houle receives CCI Distinguished Service Award! |
| December 2020: | Ontario’s Auditor General releases report recommending widespread changes to Condominium Industry. |
2021
| January 1, 2021: | Arrival of some further amendments to the Condominium Act. |
| January 29, 2021: | Amendments to Occupier’s Liability Act respecting claims for injury due to snow or ice. |
| February 1, 2021: | Creation of New Home Construction Regulatory Authority: Tarion no longer responsible for licensing of new home builders. |
| April 28, 2021: | City of Ottawa passes new Short-term Rental By-law. |
| September 22, 2021: | Ontario Human Rights Commission issues statement on vaccine mandates. |
| December 2021: | A new COVID-19 variant – Omicron – causes a return to many pandemic restrictions in Ontario. |
What to watch for in 2022? Here’s my list:
- On January 1, 2022, the jurisdiction of the CAT will again expand to include claims respecting various types of nuisances in condominiums.
- The CAT is also exploring the possibility of an amendment to its Rules which would give the CAT greater latitude to award costs to successful parties.
- The province of Ontario is exploring possibilities for change to condominium insurance, in the hopes of addressing the current “insurance crisis” affecting condominium corporations.
- I think we can expect to see some further amendments to the Condominium Act (which have been passed but not yet proclaimed in force). We may also see some further changes to Tarion and to new home warranties in Ontario (further to the reports of Justice Cunningham and the Auditor General).
- Finally, I believe (I hope) that we may see the pandemic come to an end in 2022 (if the many predictions about the virus becoming endemic come true). If this happens, I believe that many condominiums will still continue to meet virtually, because of the significant advantages (in terms of convenience and time savings).
But most of all, I want to extend our best wishes for good health and connection in 2022!
Stay safe and stay tuned to Condo Law News to keep up to date on the latest developments in condominium law!
