“Far too long has this government neglected and left condo owners and residents out of the loop. They favour the corporation. They favour the property manager. They favour the board,” Jad Boukayli, a Mississauga condo owner, said at a rally on the Ontario legislature front lawn Wednesday. This week, multiple condominium owners traveled to Queen’s Park to advocate for legislative revisions, asserting that these updates are necessary to safeguard the 1.9 million Ontario residents living in condominiums.
Despite assurances from the provincial government that consumer safeguards are forthcoming, residents argue that the current rules governing condominiums are in urgent need of overhaul. The owners want fairer condo elections, stronger accountability, greater transparency and better legal protections. Without independent oversight, condo boards manage their own elections, allowing “bad actors” to maintain control over large residential buildings for decades, according to residents. Bad condo governance can mean legal battles, misappropriated funds and neglected building maintenance, according to residents.
Boukayli, who has lived in a Mississauga condo since 2008, said more regulation is needed. His condo maintenance fees are $1,255 a month, which includes utilities. Ghufran Siddiqui, another Mississauga condo owner, said when he moved into his unit with his family five years ago, he experienced problems with elevator access, amenities, and maintenance after a leak into his unit, though he makes no accusations of wrongdoing.
Did You Know? Under the Condominium Act, owners already hold the right to call meetings and vote out board directors, and new rules regarding these owners’ meetings are scheduled to take effect on Dec. 31.
Legal Battles and Demands for Independent Oversight
Siddiqui ran for a position on the board last year against two incumbents. After losing the election, he asked for election and financial records. To secure them, he had to go to the Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT), which is an online tribunal that helps condo owners and corporations resolve disputes. CAT ordered certain records to be released, but the board appealed that ruling to the Divisional Court. More than a year later, Siddiqui has yet to receive numerous records, though he did receive a legal letter demanding legal fees.
“Going through this has caused extreme stress, anxiety and financial loss. I should be raising my kids and feel protected in my home, not be fighting mentally and financially exhausting legal battles,” Siddiqui said.
To prevent similar conflicts, owners are asking the government to expand CAT’s jurisdiction to fast-track election disputes, ask an independent agency to oversee condo voting, and impose mandatory term limits on board members to two continuous terms, or six years.
Ontario government promises future accountability reforms
In a statement Thursday, the Ontario government said changes are coming. “Condo owners deserve absolute confidence that their investment is safe, their rights are protected, and their voices are heard,” said Giulia Paikin, press secretary for Stephen Crawford, minister of public and business service delivery and procurement. Paikin added that the government is taking decisive action to ensure condo boards and developers remain accountable to the people they serve.
The powers of the CAT will broaden starting July 1, 2027, enabling it to adjudicate disputes concerning the scheduling of meetings and grant affected owners up to $50,000 in compensation. Aleks Dhefto, representing the Condominium Authority of Ontario as a spokesperson, attended the demonstration to engage with condo owners regarding their worries, emphasizing that the province continues to prioritize consumer protection. Dhefto advised owners to get involved, understand financials, and run for the board if they want to be agents of change.
Meanwhile, condo lawyer Shawn Pulver said he thinks “rogue boards” are the exception rather than the rule. Pulver noted that all boards are supposed to act reasonably, listen to owners, and make decisions in good faith and the best interests of the corporation. Jessica Bell, NDP MPP for University-Rosedale, also weighed in on the issue, stating that the Ontario government has the power to ensure the sector is properly regulated so people can live in safe, well-maintained buildings where disputes are resolved quickly, easily, and cheaply.
Ontario expands tribunal jurisdiction for condo disputes
What changes are coming to Ontario condo regulations?
New rules about owners’ meetings will take effect on Dec. 31. On July 1, 2027, CAT's jurisdiction will be expanded to resolve disputes regarding how meetings are called and to award up to $50,000 in damages to impacted owners.
What specific reforms are condo owners demanding?
Owners are asking the government to expand CAT’s jurisdiction to fast-track election disputes, establish an independent agency to oversee condo voting, and impose mandatory term limits on board members restricted to two continuous terms, or six years.
How does the Condominium Authority Tribunal help residents?
CAT is an online tribunal designed to help condo owners and corporations resolve disputes. In cases like Ghufran Siddiqui’s, the tribunal can order boards to release requested election and financial records.