The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO) recently announced it is calling for the licensing and regulation of condominium managers in Ontario.

ACMO presented its policy paper, Responding to Change, to the Minister of Consumer Services, while the government is reviewing the Condominium Act in order to ensure greater transparency and protection for condominium owners.

“Ontario is setting the pace for condominium construction in North America,” says Dean McCabe, president of ACMO. “We feel that the regulatory environment protecting condominium owners needs to keep up.”

ACMO believes the Condominium Act, 1998, was significantly improved the last time it was amended 15 years ago. McCabe, however, says it is “now outdated and in need of modernization.”

“Over the past decade and a half, there has been remarkable growth in the size and complexity of the condominium industry, which, in turn, has triggered a number of concerns and related challenges.”

One area of potential risk for owners is that condominium management is an unregulated profession. ACMO believes a new regulatory framework must incorporate the highest ethical and professional standards. The association is also concerned the Consumer Protection Act, 2002, does not adequately protect the rights of condo owners.

“With the Ontario government’s support, our policy paper will provide a regulatory framework that will protect condominium owners and enhance the industry,” says McCabe. “ACMO is committed to strengthening consumer protection within the condominium industry and will continue to work with government to achieve this.”