#WeSpeakCondo

What Condo Boards Need To Know About Fire Code Compliance in 2026

Fri, 01 May 2026 06:00:00 -0300

#WeSpeakCondo is back after eight years.

In this relaunch episode, Nicholas speaks with Sam Soltani, Founder and President of The Trace Group, about the Ontario Fire Code changes condo managers and boards need to understand going into 2026.

They discuss carbon monoxide detection, fire alarm inspections, smoke control testing, fire safety plans, fire watch obligations, record keeping, fire panel repair versus replacement, and the growing responsibility condo corporations have when it comes to life safety compliance.

Sam also shares practical advice on how condo boards can use engineers, audits, and proactive maintenance planning to avoid costly surprises and better protect their buildings.

A must-listen for condo managers, board members, property managers, engineers, and anyone involved in Ontario condominium operations.

In this episode, we cover:

New Ontario Fire Code changes affecting condos
Carbon monoxide detection requirements in hallways
Fire alarm inspection and record-keeping standards
CAN/ULC S536, S537, and S1001 requirements
Smoke control testing and fire safety plan updates
Fire watch responsibilities and risks
Fire alarm panel repair vs. replacement
Condo board and management liability
Why engineering assessments matter before major projects
How proactive HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire maintenance can save condo corporations money

Guest: Sam Soltani Company: The Trace Group Websites: traceconsultinggroup.com Contact: ⁠info@traceconsultinggroup.com⁠

Subscribe to #WeSpeakCondo for practical conversations about condo management, governance, compliance, maintenance, and the issues that matter most to condominium communities.

Condos & COVID-19

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 10:36:45 -0300

#WeSpeakCondo resumes with special guest Carol Dirks, Partner at Fogler Rubinoff’s Condo Law Group. Carol Dirks has been practicing condominium law and litigation for more than 25 years and joins us to discuss what condominium boards and managers are adapting to COVID-19.

Our discussion includes recreational facilities, condominium liens and collections, board and community meetings under quarantine and financial concerns for condominiums during the pandemic.

You can reach Carol Dirks by contacting her at:

http://foglers.com/expertise-and-industry/see-practice-areas/commercial-real-estate/lawyers/carol-a-dirks

Board Meeting Minutes with Noah Maislin and Marko Lindhe

Fri, 24 May 2019 10:16:06 -0300

Special Guests:

Noah Maislin & Marko Lindhe of Minutes Solutions

Minutes Solutions Inc. is an experienced, professional third-party minute taking company specializing in transcribing comprehensive meeting minutes, allowing board members to focus on the tasks at hand. Founded in 2014, Minutes Solutions continues to grow and has a fundamental understanding of what goes (and doesn’t go) into a quality set of minutes.

Since inception, Minutes Solutions has maintained an integral focus in minute taking and now offers additional services including virtual minute taking, audio recorded minutes, and a phone-based application that streamlines the process. For all your questions and inquiries please contact: info@minutessolutions.com

1 888 570 1149

Website: www.minutessolutions.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minutes-solutions-6a3426b1/

The CAO and CMRAO with Armand Conant

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 16:19:09 -0300

We’re back! After a temporary hiatus #WeSpeakCondo returns with condominium lawyer Armand Conant to discuss the Condominium Authority of Ontario (“CAO”) and the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (“CMRAO”). These two separate governing bodies were recently established by the Province to oversee condominium corporations and condominium managers.

We discuss why the Province made sweeping reforms to the Condominium Act, 1998 as well as the function of the CAO & CMRAO and how these government institutions impact condominium owners, managers and boards of directors.

Armand heads up the Condominium Law Group at Shibley Righton LLP and represents numerous condominium corporations of all types across Ontario. He is a Past-President of the Canadian Condominium Institute (Toronto), where he also serves on its Board of Directors and is Chair of the joint ACMO and CCI (Toronto) Legislative Committee, which prepared and submitted an extensive legislative brief to the Ontario government with recommendations for changes to the Condominium Act, 1998 (the “Act”).

Armand has been on all the government committees involved in the reform of the Act and was one of 11 people appointed to the government's Expert Panel that conducted the final analysis of the Act. Armand has also been appointed as one of the four founding/first Directors of the newly created Condominium Authority of Ontario.

Armand is a recipient of the ACMO Special Recognition Award which is presented to recognize an individual for special achievements and services that have positively impacted the condominium industry in Ontario. He is also a past recipient of ACMO's President's Award and the Associate Member of the Year Award.

http://www.shibleyrighton.com/Lawyers/Lawyers_List/~183_Armand%20G.R.%20Conant

Cannabis in Condos – What you need to know

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 10:27:50 -0300

Condominium Boards and Owners throughout the GTA are rushing to figure out how to respond to the legalization of marijuana. The law will permit residents to consume cannabis recreationally and grow up to four plants inside their homes. How does this affect condos you ask? What happens when the smoke from your neighbour’s cannabis creeps into your home? Should Boards be worried that their neighbours may attract undesirable visitors to their building now that cultivation of marijuana will become legal? How should Condominium Boards respond to complaints and enforce rules when it comes to marijuana in condos? We’re joined by Shawn Pulver, a condominium lawyer and litigation partner at Macdonald Sager Manis, LLP. Shawn has a thriving condominium corporation practice and advises condominium boards and owners on condominium governance issues relating to the Ontario Condominium Act. Shawn also has significant experience advising clients on the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act and dispu

Condo Insurance isn’t THAT bad is it!?

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 09:33:14 -0300

Have you ever been faced with a nasty insurance claim at your condo? Did your upstairs neighbor flood your home forcing you to relocate for a few weeks? You might have been hit with a surprising repair bill for damage to a neighbour’s suite. Perhaps you’ve been issued a special assessment. Did you know that insurance is there to help you cover these costs? Owners and Boards are faced with the daunting task of decrypting complex insurance policies and claims procedures in condominiums. Insurance for condos is vastly different than insurance for freehold homes or automobiles. In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Gallinger, the Vice President of Atrens-Counsel Insurance Brokers - part of Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited. Atrens-Counsel is arguable the leading insurance broker specializing in condominium insurance in Ontario. For years, Tom has worked with Property Managers, Boards and Owners to help manage their insurance responsibilities.

Learn how to communicate with Property Managers, Boards of Directors and Residents in a tech savvy condominium

Fri, 11 May 2018 17:45:55 -0300

Have you ever tried to get in touch with a Property Manager to rent a party room, book an elevator or just ask a general question about your condo? What happens when the Property Manager isn’t in the office? Doesn’t answer their emails? Doesn’t return your calls? In today’s modern and tech-savvy world, you can order food to your home or get a ride to the airport all by the click of a button. Now more than ever, lighting fast communication is the expectation. In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Grossman, the co-founder of Condo Communities. Ryan’s software program helps condominiums across the globe improve their communication skills. For more info visit: http://condocommunities.com/

AGMs, Elections & Board Disputes. Learn how YOUR condo runs NOW!!

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 23:43:24 -0300

Have you ever wondered how to become a Director? Have you ever asked yourself who is qualified to be a member of the Board? What about how you can contact your Board of Directors and speak with them directly about your concerns in a condo? We answer these questions and much more on Episode 7 of #WeSpeakCondo. We are joined by Marc Bhalla a Chartered Mediator with Condo Mediators. www.codomediators. ca Marc Bhalla is a mediator and arbitrator who focuses his practice on what he knows inside and out –condominiums. Marc appreciates the nuances of condominium conflict management, including the unique restrictions surrounding how they can be addressed and the difficulties posed by forced ongoing relationships between people experiencing issues with one another. Marc holds the Chartered Mediator (C.Med) designation of the ADR Institute of Canada, the most senior designation available to practicing mediators in Canada. He offers dispute resolution services both online and in person and is d

Board of Directors 101 with Marc Bhalla

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 11:25:48 -0400

In our 6th episode of #WeSpeakCondo we explore the basics of a Board of Directors in a condominium corporation. We focus on the hierarchy of governance in a condominium and we discover who makes all the big decisions in a condo. We are joined by Marc Bhalla a Chartered Mediator with Condo Mediators (link to Marc’s website: condomediators.ca/). Marc Bhalla is a mediator and arbitrator who focuses his practice on what he knows inside and out – condominiums. Marc appreciates the nuances of condominium conflict management, including the unique restrictions surrounding how they can be addressed and the difficulties posed by forced ongoing relationships between people experiencing issues with one another. Marc holds the Chartered Mediator (C.Med) designation of the ADR Institute of Canada, the most senior designation available to practising mediators in Canada. He offers dispute resolution services both online and in person and is dedicated to providing his clients with affordable,

Electric Vehicles, Tesla and Condos. How your condo can adapt to EV technology.

Wed, 27 Dec 2017 09:41:31 -0400

"Mark started in the trade back in 1973 and established Signature Electric in 1985. His favourite part of being in business is his contact with people. Each day Mark gets to connect with wonderful and interesting, customers, vendors and his staff on how technology has and will continue to change at unprecedented speeds, affecting Signature Electric's clients’ businesses as well as the value they bring to them. While times have changed, some things remain the same. Their dedication to their clients and their passion to solve complex challenges. For more information visit www.signatureelectric.ca"

Enforcement pre-school. What happens when you break the Rules?

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 17:07:46 -0400

In our last episode with Special Guest Ben Rutherford we cover the enforcement of Rules and Regulations at a condominium corporation. What happens when you break the Rules? Listen and find out.

Big trouble! Your status certificate has errors or omissions. Ben Rutherford explains what you can do!

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 17:06:04 -0400

We pick up right where we left off in Episode three of #WeSpeakCondo. What happens when your Status Certificate is missing crucial information? We discuss the consequences of errors or omissions with a Status Certificate and who is responsible for these errors or omissions.

Buying or selling a condo? Look at the Status Certificate before you buy!

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 17:03:24 -0400

Episode two of #WeSpeakCondo explores the sale of a condominium unit. A condition of purchase/sale is the Mighty Status Certificate. This document provides a purchaser with critical information about the property they are buying. Special Guest Ben Rutherford explains some of the important points to look for when buying or selling a condo.

The absolute basics of condominium living! What is a Condo Board & a Property Manager?

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 16:56:03 -0400

Join us for our first episode of #WeSpeakCondo where we discuss the basics of condominium living. We introduce the general governance of a condominium corporation in Ontario and cover the expectations of living in a community of condominium owners.