Dispute Tribunal – Weighing Our Options

by Rebecca Medel Bringing condo disputes before a tribunal instead of using the traditional courtroom process seems to be quite the dangling carrot for those who are intrigued by the idea of changing up the current system. The efficiency of using online technology to solve problems, and the time and cost savings that come about…

The Value Added by Mediation in Condominiums

by Archie Zariski, BA, LLB, LLM, C Med High Clouds Incorporated (Archie is a condo owner, board member, and condominium mediator)  Mediation in the Condominium Context  When condo owners have a dispute or difference the optimal result is for them to sit down together and sort out the problem. Perhaps they have read the bestselling…

Tackling Human Rights in Condos

By Heidi Besuijen and Melissa L. Stappler Overview Alberta case law has  recently confirmed that the Alberta Human Rights Act (the “Act”) applies to condominium corporations.  This means that condominium corporations are prohibited from discriminating against unit owners or occupants on the basis of any of the protected grounds identified in the Act, which are:…

Top 10 Ways to Communicate with Condo Owners

1 Welcome Package / Committee What better way to communicate with owners but when you first receive notification of the change in ownership. Creating a simple FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sheet along with a document checklist to ensure they have all the required condo documents (and where to get it if they don’t) is invaluable.…

The How and Why of Levying Fines

By Todd A. Shipley In order to levy a fine or monetary sanction, a board must carefully consider the “how” and “why.” The Condominium Property Act (RSA 2000, c. C-22) (the “Act”) and most modern condominium by-laws allow boards to issue fines or monetary sanctions for noncompliance. However, the case-law provides both cautionary tales and…

Private Agency Parking Enforcement Program

By Erna Malcolm The City of Edmonton wants to raise awareness about the Private Agency Parking Enforcement program, which gives private condominiums, management companies, shopping malls, hospitals, and post-secondary institutions the authority to issue City of Edmonton tickets on their property. What is the Private Agency Parking Enforcement program? The Private Agency Parking Enforcement program is…