The Province of Ontario’s Code of Ethics for Condominium Managers

As of February 1, 2018, the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) will begin to assess complaints against the province’s recently finalized Code of Ethics found in O.Reg. 3/18 adopted under the Condominium Management Services Act (CMSA).

As always, we require that Crossbridge Condominium Services employees embrace the highest standards of conduct and ethics and that we work to preserve a culture of integrity at Crossbridge. The Code of Ethics, adopted under the CMSA, will help to bring a high standard to the condominium management industry as a whole. Crossbridge is also dedicated to that objective.

Since our inception more than 30 years ago, it is our expectation that all of our activities will be conducted with the utmost honesty and integrity and in full compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.

Crossbridge actively takes several measures to reinforce employee behaviours that adhere to the highest standards of business ethics.

• Our corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is reviewed at new employee orientation and all incoming employees must acknowledge and sign our Code;
• All staff are required to renew their commitment to our Code annually;
• Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is reinforced through mandatory internal workshops and team meetings; and,
• Our Code provides a “whistleblowing” mechanism for all staff, clients and contractors via a toll-free number – 1-800‐665‐0831.  Complaints are handled, investigated, processed confidentially by a 3^rd party.

   

Our support of the highest standards of business conduct also includes working with industry associations and boards of directors to implement a Director’s Code of Conduct and Ethics in our condominium corporations.

You can read more about the Code of Ethics at:

• Gowlings LLP, Condo Advisor – New Regulations on Insurance, Complaints Procedure and the Code of Ethics for Condo Managers – January 27, 2018
• CondoBusiness – Proposed reg details code of ethics for condo managers – September 5, 2017
• Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario – Complaints & Discipline
• Ontario Regulation 3/18: CODE OF ETHICS AND DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS COMMITTEES under Condominium Management Services Act, 2015, S.O. 2015, c. 28, Sched. 2
• Plain Language Guide to the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015
• Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) - Code of Ethics for Condo Managers Summary

The Code of Ethics includes (but is not limited to) the following obligations as paraphrased in the Gowlings LLP, Condo Advisor blog entry noted above. (Read O. Reg. 3/18 for the official wording):

• Managers shall treat every person they deal with fairly, honestly and with integrity. They shall also treat every person they deal with equally, without discrimination, harassment or violence and they must provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities;

• Managers shall provide conscientious, courteous and responsive service and must demonstrate reasonable knowledge, skill, judgment and competence when providing services and opinions. They shall use best efforts to prevent error, misrepresentation, fraud or unethical practices;

• They should not provide any opinion or advice unless they have the necessary education or experience to do so;

• They are to ensure they use current forms and documents;

• They shall make and keep all reasonably required records;

• They shall be financially responsible in providing condominium management services;

• They cannot misrepresent the type, class or conditions of their licence (general, limited or transitional);

• They shall not engage in any act or omissions which, in the circumstances, would be regarded as disgraceful, dishonourable, unprofessional or unbecoming of a licensee;

• Except as permitted or required by law, they are not to unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of the common elements, units or assets of the corporation by owners, occupiers or directors;

• They shall keep their client informed, in a timely manner, of all significant steps being taken by them and of the condition of the property. They shall not exaggerate or misrepresent material facts;

• They must promote the best interests of their clients and they shall act diligently in executing their obligations towards the clients. They shall refer their client to someone else if they are not able to provide the required service with reasonable knowledge, skill, judgement and competence;

• A manager shall not accept gifts if a reasonable person might conclude that the gift could influence the licensee when providing management services.  This, however, does not prevent a manager from accepting a gift of nominal value as an expression of courtesy or hospitality.

• Except as otherwise required by law, they shall not disclose to a third party any confidential information without prior written consent of the person to whom the information relates.

Our goals are very much in alignment with those of the residents and boards of the communities we serve.  We are measured by our success in making our owners comfortable in their homes, protecting their investments and securing maximum value for every condominium dollar spent.  Our commitment is to treat our clients as we would like to be treated.  We are proud to share that the newly regulated Code of Ethics mirrors our long-standing corporate culture.