New government delays Phase 11 amendments to Condominium Property Act

On June 27, 2019, the Provincial Government issued a surprise announcement to delay the implementation of Phase II of the Amendments to the Condominium Property Act and Regulations and called for a “red tape review” which many in the industry supports. Stakeholders in the condominium sector have recently told Service Alberta they are concerned that new condominium regulations scheduled to come into place this summer will cause a significant administrative burden

The regulations were originally scheduled to come into effect on July 1, 2019. However, the Government is pausing those regulations from coming into force until they can review them, meet with stakeholders, and determine if adjustments need to be made to strike the right balance without increasing red tape and administrative burdens. Those consultations will take place in the
summer of 2019, with a new date of release for January 1, 2020.

This pause supports government efforts to reduce red tape to ensure regulatory processes are necessary, effective, efficient and proportional to the outcomes they are trying to achieve.

According to a Service Alberta press release, the regulations passed by the previous government in fall 2018 were “identified by multiple stakeholders — beginning during consultations and continuing until now with a petition – as adding red tape, Hence it felt this review was needed.

Since becoming minister, I have been approached by stakeholders who felt overlooked by the previous government around their concerns and the proposed changes would add administrative burdens on boards and managers, says Nate Glubish, Minister of Service Alberta, We take these concerns seriously and we are not afraid to take bold and decisive action in the interests of Albertans.

The government says it will meet with key stakeholders over the next few months to find out if these new regulations constitute an excessive administrative burden or challenge for condo boards, owners, corporations and other involved in the condominium industry. Any adjustments to those regulations will be considered only after the summer’s review has taken the press release added.

Could this be the positive change we in the Condominium Industry are looking for? We’re keeping our fingers crossed! To learn more visit www.alberta.ca/condominium-consultation.aspx