On Monday of this week, the Government of Ontario launched a new online condominium survey at www.ontario.ca/condos to capture a snapshot of Ontarians' experiences with condo ownership.

This ACMO alert has been circulated to the membership at large to help encourage all condominium board members and owners to participate in this survey.

Greater participation from the Condominium community will represent a broad spectrum of opinions and will help provide the government with a cross-section of owner experiences as it considers the future needs of the condominium industry.

• Bob Gardiner of Gardiner Miller Arnold - Workplace Violence
• Brian Horlick of Horlick Levitt - Condominium Records
• Mario Deo of Fine & Deo - The Role of the President
• Michael Spears of Deacon Spears - Mediation Arbitration Steps in Rules Enforcement
• Mario Deo of Fine & Deo - What’s the Difference Between a Gazebo and a Hot Tub?

Faced with an exodus by hundreds of apartments and condos to private haulers, the city is poised to introduce new garbage rates that could reduce costs to those buildings by at least 30%.

A public notice advising of the changes — released last week on the city’s website — says the details of the revised waste reduction fees will be contained in a report to the June 15 public works committee.

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You’re invited to a FREE Lunch & Learn Workshop on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at the Hampton Inn, Ottawa - learn how you can tap into significant rebates for energy upgrades to multifamily buildings.

Already finished an upgrade? Some rebates are available retroactively for projects started after January 1, 2008. Multifamily Energy Efficiency Rebates (MEER) are due to expire on December 31st, 2010 so there is still time to save by acting on your energy project. You can even complete your application right at the seminar! MEER, Enbridge, and Hydro Ottawa representatives will all be on hand to discuss eligible rebates and help you apply.

Download the invitation for more details. Space is limited, so REGISTER NOW by calling Chantal Martin at 613-237-2462 x221 or email cmartin@halsall.com.

For more information about this event, please contact:

Shawn Carr,P.Eng
Halsall Associates Ltd.
Tel: 613.237.2462 ext 244 • Toll Free: 1.877.442.5725  •  www.halsall.com • Cell: 613.983.8316
http://www.meerontario.ca/

When researching condominium buildings, buyers should always ask whether the building is professionally managed and conduct research on the property manager.

Condominium Corporations are run by boards of directors, elected by the unit owners. The directors unfortunately are not required to have any formal business, legal or accounting training before being nominated to this very important position. They will immediately become responsible to manage a budget that could be in the millions of dollars, with potential personal liability if they do not properly see to the maintenance and repair of the building common elements. They also deal with disputes between unit owners and the condominium corporation.

• Metro Group Doug King Waste Diversion overview
• MTCC 1053 Palace Place Katherine Gow Brookfield RCM
• MTCC 1273 Northtowne 2 Andrew Simon Board Direcctor
• TSCC 1979 Encore Julian McNabb Simerra PM

Ontario Budget 2010

Together CCI (Toronto) and ACMO are pleased to provide you with an update on how the 2010 Ontario Provincial Budget may affect the Condominium sector.   

There were no new tax credits or rebates proposed to help offset condo fees that are anticipated to rise due to the HST.  However, the government did provide new tax credits as part of the budget announcement. The government is replacing the combined property and sales tax credits with two new credits:

• Ontario Sales Tax Credit – aimed at providing $1 billion in sales tax relief to approximately 3.1 million families starting in August 2010;
• Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit – the government will introduce legislation this year to convert the Ontario Property Tax Credit to the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit with the intent of providing $1.2 billion in annual energy and property tax relief to low-middle income individuals and families.

The government also announced that it would move forward with an electronic land registry. In addition a new Electronic Land Registration Service Commissioner will also be established for dispute resolution issues.  CCI (Toronto) and ACMO will monitor this project during the design process to determine if there are features which can benefit the Condominium sector.

As announced in February, the provincial government has confirmed that it will be giving condominium corporations that were created before May 5, 2001 more breathing room when it comes to their reserve funds and the requirement to "top them up".  This will help mitigate the impact of the HST on Reserve Fund balances.

CCI (Toronto) and ACMO are continuing with their efforts on behalf of the condominium industry to obtain solutions to the serious and unique problems facing condominium owners impacted by the HST and to have the governments open up the legislation for review and changes. We are continuing our constructive dialogue with the government on these issues, and in particular with the Hon. Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister of Consumer Services.

In addition, CCI (Toronto) and ACMO will begin to engage all political parties in the lead up to the 2011 Ontario Provincial election to ensure condominium industry issues are front and centre in party platforms.

Chris Antipas, RCM, ACCI
President, ACMO

View photos from the Winter Blah Pub Night 2010

ACMO and CCI Toronto are pleased to present a sample disclaimer for use by ACMO members on HRTC receipts.  We would like to thank the following people for their expertise and input: Armand Conant, President, CCI Toronto, and Stephen Chesney, Parker Garber & Chesney, LLP.

“The HRTC is subject to the eligibility criteria established by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”).  Neither management nor the Corporation express any opinion or make any representations or guarantee with respect to the owner’s eligibility for the HRTC, whether or not the expenditures qualify as “eligible expenditures” or the tax credit amount, if any, the owner could be entitled to under the HRTC. Each owner assumes all risk with respect to any HRTC credit they may claim and should seek advice from their own tax advisor prior to including any such claim in their tax return. Owners are further advised that any claim for the tax credit is subject to audit and verification by the CRA and may therefore be subject to change.“

This January and February are presenting some challenges that are new to the Property Management industry and Condominium Managers in particular. Specifically it is trying to decipher the rules surrounding the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) which was introduced by the Federal Government as part of the stimulus plan in the 2009 Federal budget.

An overview of the HRTC is too long to include as part of this information bulletin, and most if not all of you are aware of the purpose of the credit and the rules surrounding it. For those interested in reviewing the rules and guidelines you can visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/hrtc to view the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website.After reviewing the site you may have questions regarding how this tax incentive affects Condominium Management firms. On behalf of the ACMO2000 Corporate Members, and in conjunction with CCI Toronto & Area Chapter, ACMO retained a lawyer specializing in tax law to coordinate a meeting with CRA representatives in order to address many question submitted by our members regarding the legal interpretation of the HRTC rules and how they affect the practical management of Condominium Corporations. This meeting was also attended by an Auditor specializing in condominium accounting and taxation.

Linked below are the 15 questions which formed the basis of our discussion and a summary of the answers that CRA representatives provided.

15 Questions about the HRTC update

Waterloo Region Record

Disability Legal Victory and the Affect on Condominium Corporations

Thursday, Feb. 4th — 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

The Old Mill Inn, Toronto - Breakfast and Lunch Included

Ontario’s new Green Energy Act and Feed-in Tarrifs (FIT) are sparking great interest in local wind power, solar electric, and geothermal heating and cooling projects. Incentives have also recently increased for solar hot water and the province may soon have a standard offer program for combined heat and power. Have you been considering green energy options? Wondering if it is right for your building? Are you curious about what systems cost and what you can save or earn?  To learn more click here!

Multi-Residential Diversion Region of Peel Perspective
Peter Kalogerakos
Technical Analyst, Waste Program Planning

Waste Management Program Changes, Fees, and New Diversion Programs
Vincent Sferrazza
Director, Policy & Planning
Solid Waste Management Services
City of Toronto

Recycling in Multi Unit Buildings
Doug King
Metro Group

Condominium managers have joined the queue of disgruntled taxpayers in their bid to find ways to soften the blow of the harmonized sales tax (HST) on operating costs and condo fees.

Continue reading at http://www.nationalpost.com/homes/story.html?id=2035959 or download the PDF here.

It was a popular meeting about an unpopular subject.

More than 400 condominium consultants, managers and owners turned out for a discussion about Ontario's proposed harmonized sales tax organized by the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario.

source: http://www.thestar.com/article/676819

Two large condominium associations say it's "unfortunate" that they were not consulted to participate in the drafting of a bill that calls for major changes to the existing Condominium Act.

The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO) and the Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) say they were not asked for their input into Bill 186, Condominium Protection Act (2009), introduced as a private member's bill by Trinity-Spadina MPP Rosario Marchese in June.

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HST Premier Response

2009 ACMO Member Award Recipients

Click here to view pictures.

National Post June 30 2009

Target 70 - Solid Waste Management Services

Green Bin Program & Waste Diversion Strategies for Multi-Unit Residential Dwellings - Solid Waste Management Services

City of Toronto Multi-Unit (MU) Recycling Research Highlights Presentation - Ipsos Public Affairs

Proposed Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and estimated impact on Condominiums in Ontario

Student lifeguards owed thousands

Incoming ACMO board announces new initiatves

Go Green and Go Home

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Springfest '09 ACMO member presentation

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Click here to view pictures.

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Consequences of Opting out of City Collection - A City of Toronto Letter to Multi-Unit Owners

City of Toronto Letter on the Free In-Unit Blue Bin Ordering Process

City of Toronto Sample In-Unit Recycling Container Order Card

Letter Shared by a Member of the Greater Toronto Apartment Association Explaining to their Residents the Need to Participate in Recycling

Congratulations to this year's ACMO Award Recipients!

President's Award

Bruno Suppa, Corpland Contracting Limited

Manager of the Year Award

Catherine Murdock, DEL Property Management Inc.

Dean McCabe, Brookfield Residential Services Limited

Corporate Member of the Year

ICC Property Management Ltd.

Associate of the Year

Jason Tower, Waste Solutions Group

Click here to view pictures.

Click here to view pictures.

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ACMO is pleased to announce that Shiu Pong/Progressive Plus (Mississauga) and Times Property Management Inc. (Richmond Hill) have achieved ACMO 2000 Certification.

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to view pictures.

ACMO Members are invited to regional information sessions the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) are holding regarding residential sprinklers. The information sessions stem from changes MMAH is proposing to the Ontario Building Code that would require residential sprinklers installed in all newly constructed residential buildings higher than three storeys. Please consider inviting other stakeholders you feel should be represented at these sessions. More information is available at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website at www.obc.mah.gov.on.ca/Page2993.aspx and www.ofm.gov.on.ca.

Final Regulations to the Energy Conservation Leadership Act were announced by the Ministry of Energy.

For further information, click here.

the new positions on the 2007-2008 ACMO Board of Directors were elected

Click here to read the full press release

ACMO participated in a Thunder Bay Golf Tournament

Click here to view the full press release

ACMO presented several membership awards during our June 1 luncheon.

Click here to read the full press release

Percel Inc. Achieves ACMO 2000 Certification.

Twelve Condominium Management Companies Now ACMO 2000 Certified. For full details click here.

ACMO is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2006/2007 Board of Directors.

To read the full press release, please click here.

We are very proud of our new website (www.acmo.org) that went live in late April 2006.

Click here for the full press release.

At the end of February 2005, Toronto City Council adopted the recommendation of the City of Toronto Works Committee to endorse a Waste Reduction Levy for multi family residential buildings. ACMO feels it is incumbent on Managers to bring this initiative to the attention of directors and homeowners. (for further information click here).