Canadian Strata Conference in November

The Canadian Condominium Institute was formed in Toronto in 1982 and represents over 115,000 condominium units.  And, it’s holding its annual conference called Living in Balance on 4 and 5 November 2011 at the Toronto Congress Centre.

There’s a great conference program with three streams of presentations covering legal, technical, practical and environmental matters affecting strata corporations.  You can see the full program here.

Early bird registration for $295 closes at the end of September.  So, why not register and attend?

Francesco …

Another Strata Blogger at Strata101

As I’ve been exploring the world of blogs, wikis, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter I’m finding other like minded people who are blogging about strata.

One of the most interesting and definitive about things in strata is in Canada called Strata101.

In her latest blog called Strata CircleJerk Strata 101 talks about the challenges of ignorance and disproportionate power in strata saying “it is quite obvious most owners DON’T know what they are doing, DON’T care to change that particular situation and DON’T want to question the council or the property management for fear of either reprisal or responsibility. That’s three DON’Ts for a hat trick!”

Strata101 also describes the situation in most strata corporations as a circlejerk.

So, what’s a circlejerk? The Urban Dictionary gives a few definitions including –

When a bunch of blowhards - usually politicians - get together for a debate but usually end up agreeing with each other's viewpoints to the point of redundancy, stroking each other's egos as if they were extensions of their genitals (ergo, the mastubatory insinuation). Basically, it's what happens when the choir preaches to itself.

And, maybe Strata101 is right.

So why not follow Strata101 ?  I am.

Francesco … 

Would You Pay for Dinner with a Strata Lawyer?

I could start this blog with a  few jokes about lawyers, but I won’t (after all I need to keep it short).

But, maybe we’re all wrong about the popularity of lawyers.  At least in Strataland.

You see, in Toronto, Canada, the Canadian Condominium Institute is organising Networking Dinners for condominium board members with a legal twist. At each dinner table, board members will be joined by a strata lawyer and throughout the evening the lawyers will switch tables so attendees will be able to pose questions to a variety of the top condo lawyers in Toronto.

The next one is being held on Wednesday, 30 March from 6:30 pm at Novotel North York Hotel.  It costs $40 for CCI Members and $55 for Non-Members (plus HST).  And, you can register with CCI here.

So, if you’re interested (or bored), why not have dinner with a few strata lawyers?

Francesco …

Learn Strata like a Canadian

You can never know enough about strata and new technologies make learning things easier and easier.

Well if you want to know about being a director (an executive) of a strata scheme in Canada why not join Condo 201 Course webinars run by the Toronto Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute on 12 and 19 January 2011.

CCI say that the Condo 201 Course will teach Condo Owners and Board Members all they need to know about proper Condo Governance and how to ensure a well functioning Board. Topics covered will include: By-laws and Rules, Communication, Board Meetings, Minutes, Confidentiality, Annual General Meetings, Proxies, Elections and More!


The cost is $95 for members or $125 for non members (that’s in Canadian dollars plus taxes).

You can register here.

See you in the virtual Canadian classroom soon.

Francesco …

Politicians Grilled over Strata Coals ...

I’ve always wondered why all those voters in strata buildings haven’t made the politicians pay attention to them and their needs and wishes.  After all there’s millions of voters there.

Well it’s happening in Canada !!!

The Canadian Condoninium Institute has organised a Mayoral Candidates Forum for apartment owners in Toronto ahead of their elections for a new mayor.  It’s being held on Thursday September 30th, 2010. 

Focusing largely on issues pertaining to condominiums, the front-running candidates will explain their policies and campaigns, answer owners’ questions and better understand the special needs of apartments and apartment owners in Toronto.

CCI also hopes that owners comments can impact candidates’ attention to the issues that are important to them.

It sounds like a great initiative that’s worth repeating.

Imagine our politicians doing the same ?

Francesco …

Conferencing in Canada

If you want to have an international strata experience and can be in Canada in November, why not attend the Canadian Condominium Institute's 2010 Conference in Toronto ?

It's called Directions for a New Decade: Staying ahead of the curve and is on between Friday, 4 and Saturday, 5 November 2010 at the Hilton Markham Conference Centre and Spa.  The programme includes a range of presentation of interest to all strata stakeholders as well as a Gala Dinner on Friday night.  Find out more at the Conference website.

Toronto's a nice town too with a great harbour, a lot of interesting history and Canada's largest theme park Canada's Wonderland.

See you in Toronto in November ... just remember to pack warm.

Francesco ....

Not Getting Enough Strata Law ??

Like you … I realize just how fascinating and exciting strata title law is and can’t get enough.  So, with only 7 states in Australia and over 20 Courts and Tribunals deciding strata cases we’re struggling to get enough strata law in this country. 

We could go to New Zealand for more since it’s close and similar (legally at least) but that’s only 2 more sources. 

But, luckily our Canadian cousins have a similar strata title legal system and also speak English (not American).

I mentioned Nelligan O’Brien Payne in an earlier post (Our Strata Cousins in Canada) and they publish something called Condo Law which summarises legal happenings and cases in Canada. 

You can subscribe to it yourself or read it in the Resources & Links section of my webpage francescoandreone.com – just follow this link.

As I always say … a few lawyers and some more cases always helps.

Francesco ...

Our Strata Cousins in Canada

In North America there’s a place call Canada that’s a lot like Australia … just colder and with a lot more French stuff.  But interestingly, strata title there is very much like here.

So, I thought I'd highlight some of our Canadian strata cousins.


Firstly, there’s a specialist strata law firm that has an uncanny resemblance to one that used to exist here.  It called Nelligan O’Brien Payne.


Some things about Nelligan O'Brien Payne include -

• that it has a Condominium Law Practice Group that handles issues of concern to condominium corporations, their directors, owners, and insurers
• it's practice in this area is among the largest in Ontario providing legal services to over 500 condominium corporations in Eastern Ontario
• they are members of the Canadian Condominium Institute and have had representatives on the Board at both the local and national level
• they present regular courses on condominium law attended by condominium directors, managers and others
• it publishes Condo Law, a quarterly newsletter

And, what about their logo ??? It’s freaky.

Secondly, there's the Canadian Condominium Institute ... the Voice of Condominium in Canada.  CCI is a national, independent, non-profit organisation dealing exclusively with condominium issues and -

• was formed in 1982
• represents all participants in the condominium community to create a successful and viable condominium community
• is the only Canadian association acting as a clearing house and research centre on condominium issues and activities
• assists its members through education, information dissemination, publications, workshops, conferences and technical assistance
• encourages and provides objective research or practitioners and government agencies regarding all aspects of condominium operations
• lobbies provincial and federal governments for improvements to legislation
• advocates for higher standards in all services to the condominium client
• operates primarily through chapters across the country
• conducts an annual conference each fall in Toronto

Third, Wilson Blanchard is a large strata management company with offices in Hamilton, Toronto, Kitchener and St Catharines.  It provides a full range of management services and says that it managers over 23,000,000 (that's 23 million) square metres of floor space and has staff with more than 50 years experience.


And, finally, The Toronto Atmospheric Fund, lends money to Canadian strata schemes - like Lannock and Finlease do here but with a twist.  Thier primary lending purpose is to fund the installation and retro-fitting of energy efficient, energy saving and environmentally building facilities and services through a product called TowerWise.  


Of course, there's plenty of other dopple-ganger people and businesses in strata in Canada that are interesting to compare and contrast to us.

So, on the other side of the world our strata cousins are doing the same things that we're doing.  If you're ever over there why not visit some and, if you need introductions, please contact me.

Francesco …

It’s a Tough Year for Things with Dots

It seems that in 2010 dots mean trouble.

The most recent victim of anti-dot sentiment is the World Shop in Glenmore Road, Paddington where the recent appearance of polka dots on the shop front and building façade have upset Woollahra Council.

Woollahra Council have ordered the shop’s owner to paint over the dots and the façade in a uniform colour.  Apparently the dots are advertising and not in keeping with the character of the area. And, the Council was compelled to act after a complaint from a member of the public.

Francis Hopper, who owns the World Shop, said a few amusing and interesting things about the dots and the Council’s actions including that –

• ‘our collection is by a fabulous Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and we thought we’d page homage to her’
• ‘we’ve had nothing but positive reinforcement from local business’
• ‘how can the dots constitute advertising when I’m not a spot shop. We don’t sell spots’
• ‘can you not be flamboyant and ironic and humorous and characterfull in Woollahra ?’

So, it seems the dots have caused World Shop some problems but let’s hope that they resolve them soon.


I personally like the dots and hope that dots stay in Glenmore Road.  After all ... doesn't everyone love dots ???

Francesco …