Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO) - Responding to Change Licensing White Paper - News Release

TORONTO, Dec. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO) is calling for the licensing and regulation of condominium managers in Ontario.

ACMO presented its policy paper, Responding to Change, to the Minister of Consumer Services last week.  The government is currently reviewing the Condominium Act in order to ensure greater transparency and protection for condominium owners.

"Ontario is setting the pace for condominium construction in North America," says the President of ACMO, Dean McCabe. "We feel that the regulatory environment protecting condominium owners needs to keep up."

ACMO believes The Condominium Act, 1998 was significantly improved the last time it was amended in 1998. McCabe says though "it's now outdated and in need of modernization. Over the past decade and a half, there has been remarkable growth in the size and complexity of the condominium industry, which in turn has triggered a number of concerns and related challenges."

One significant area of potential risk for owners is the fact that condominium management is an unregulated profession. ACMO believes a new regulatory framework must incorporate the highest ethical and professional standards. The Association is also concerned that The Consumer Protection Act, 2002 does not adequately protect the rights of the condominium owner.

ACMO has been building the strong foundations of self-regulation including education, ethics, discipline and professionalism for the past 35 years, and is ready to become the licensing body for condominium management professionals. ACMO is a leader in ensuring its managers and corporate members are educated to the highest standards.

ACMO President McCabe says "with the Ontario government's support, our policy paper, Responding to Change, will provide a regulatory framework that will protect condominium owners and enhance the industry. ACMO is committed to strengthening consumer protection within the condominium industry and will continue to work with government to achieve this."

ACMO believes it is incumbent on the condominium industry to work collectively to enhance standards and consumer protection.  The Association therefore encouraged and welcomed the provincial government's decision in April 2012 to review The Condominium Act, 1998.

About ACMO

The Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario was formed in 1977 to advance the standards and professionalism of the condominium management profession in Ontario. ACMO provides training courses in both Ontario Colleges and approved property management companies that are required for professional condominium managers hoping to obtain the recognized professional designation Registered Condominium Manager (RCM).  The Association's commitment to high standards of professional and business practices is further evidenced in the corporate certification ACMO 2000.

A copy of the policy paper, Responding to Change is available on ACMO's website: www.acmo.org and here.

SOURCE: Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario

or to contact ACMO President Dean McCabe, RCM, ACCI, AIHM, please contact:

Kathy Irwin, CAE
Manager, Communication and Membership Development

Telephone: [phone] ext. 217