Program/Registration

Property Managers' Session

• LUNCH (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, included with Property Managers’ Session)
• Together we can Empower Condominium Communities in Ontario - 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
  Robin Dafoe, CEO and Registrar, CAO
• Role of the Condo Manager in Relation to the Condo Board – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  Ali Arlani, CEO and Registrar, CMRAO

Sponsored by

Welcome / Opening Remarks

Keynote - Sometimes You're the Windshield... Sometimes You're the Bug

Sponsored by

Sometimes life gets the better of us and we ask “Whose life is it, anyway?” When you stop living for yourself and live only for everyone else, something is missing! In this humorous keynote, Rhonda shares that not only do we all experience this feeling – it’s OK to be frustrated!

Learn how to stay away from contagious negativity, to look at life through a positive focus, and stop blaming (whether it is the economy, government, organization or just bad luck!) For those people who do this naturally, they will learn additional skills to keep on top!

Taking control of your own life is the message – and through realistic, easy, and fun approaches to control, Rhonda leaves everyone laughing about life instead of crying – but most importantly, the knowledge on how to get back the life we want to have!

Rhonda Scharf is a well-recognized Professional Speaker, Trainer, Consultant, and Author. She is a respected consultant, provides uplifting and fun on-site training and workshops, and a highly entertaining keynote speaker. Add in webinars and coaching along with full customization of all programs, and she is fully competent and capable of putting you ON THE RIGHT TRACK. Her enthusiasm and positive energy truly make her stand out in her profession. Rhonda has the ability to make learning fun and interesting.

Concurrent Sessions

#1A - 9:45 am - 10:45 am

• Clearing the Air with Cannabis: The legalization of cannabis has caused quite a “buzz” within our condo communities. In this presentation, we will explore multiple facets of cannabis in condos, including legal issues, building science matters, and human right considerations so that condo corporations can get out ahead of any tricky situations. An air quality expert will talk about ways to deal with odour transfer and humidity, and a specialist in the field of medical cannabis will address the stigma surrounding cannabis and provide insights and possible solutions to meet the needs of the community as a whole.

#1B - 10:00 am - 11:00 am

• Closing the Generation Gap: The past ten years have seen a shift in the Condo demographic from primarily empty-nesters to a new mixture that includes Millennials and families with small children. This shift can create friction as the needs of the residents change. In this workshop, we will discuss how to bridge the generation gap, build relationships, and create more user-friendly condos (accessible for all ages).

#1C - 10:15 am - 11:15 pm

• Managing Weather Risks: Across Ontario in 2018, we witnessed heavy rains, flooding, ice storms and even tornados. Would your Condo be ready if such a disaster were to hit? This workshop will discuss how your Condo can be better prepared to manage weather-related risks. We will delve into topics like disaster awareness, Condo protocols (establishing an emergency gathering place), ensuring your generator is prepared, and how to get the most out of your insurance policies.

Concurrent Sessions

#2A - 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

• Police Crisis/Bullying/Harassment: Living and working in close quarters with others can sometimes create tension and conflicts. In this session, we will talk about bullying and harassment in a condominium setting and how to implement an anti-harassment policy. We will also discuss other criminal activity, how to deal with crisis, and the fine line between assisting the police in an investigation and protecting the privacy of innocent unit owners and residents. Speakers will include a cyber-bullying specialist from the Hamilton Police Service, a lawyer, and a property manager.

#2B - 11:45 am - 12:45 pm

• New Developments - Managing the First Years: Managing a Condominium Corporation is much like managing a business. You need to work with a team of people to manage financials, facilities, contracts, and relationships. Owning a new condo has some added complexities that stem from the transition from the Developers to the Owners. In this session, we will discuss some of the challenges that new condos face in their early years, including managing your first budget, choosing a property manager versus self-management, and how to work with your Developer to get the most out of your performance audit and conciliation process.

#2C - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

• Navigating Forms and Proxies in the New Condo Act: 2017 saw sweeping changes to the Condo Act to improve Director training and protect the Condo's interests. The net result has been Forms, Forms, and more Forms. In this session, we will work through the new Condo Act Forms and cover pages, and provide resources for Directors and self-managed Condos. We will discuss the Condo Authority Tribunal and the process to resolve condo-related disputes in Ontario.

Concurrent Sessions

#3A

• Green Energy/New Technology: You want to live in a well maintained, comfortable building, but you also want to keep your maintenance fees under control. How are you going to do both? The answer is simple: get control of your energy costs. Payments for gas, electricity, and water can account for 40% or more of your building’s ongoing operating costs. That makes utility bills easily the largest controllable expense for your condo corporation. In this session, we will explore different available technologies to help your building perform to its highest potential and save operating costs while doing so.

#3B

• Planning TLC for Your Aging Condo: With the boom of residential condo buildings constructed in the 1970's, we are now at a point where there is a large stock of condos in Ontario that need to be repaired or renewed. Experts from the engineering and property management field will walk you through the process of how to manage your aging condo, from preparing a reserve fund study to executing a major renovation project. 

#3C

• Upcoming Changes to the Condo Act: This session will provide an update on ongoing amendments to the Condominium Act but will also discuss some of the lessons we are learning from both our new and old Condo stock and how these might impact future Act amendments. Many of the older condos are suffering severe financial difficulty due to physical deterioration, poor financial planning, and governance practices that allow nothing to get accomplished. This session will discuss options for helping extract them from these situations. The newer condos are more complex, taller and much more challenging to budget and plan for; these newer buildings are also highlighting shortcomings in the current legislation. 

Rapid Fire Legal – A Review of Recent Condominium Law Decisions

Join the expert legal panel as they navigate the most recent condominium law cases decided by the courts and Condominium Authority Tribunal. This will be an engaging session wherein the panel of experts will review and debate the consequences of the newest court and tribunal cases, offer their interpretations of the impact on condominiums, and provide you with practical applications of the cases.