RGCQ Governance

Over the years, this vision has evolved into a far-reaching mission: to promote the development and improvement of condominium ownership in Québec by providing training and information, and by defending the rights and interests of condominium administrators and co-owners.

But the organization doesn't stop there. We've always had a broader vision, seeking to raise the level of knowledge and thinking about co-ownership. We are therefore striving to play an even more active role in promoting knowledge and best practices in co-ownership. Our aspiration: to make co-ownership a viable and engaging way of life. To achieve this, it is essential to encourage in-depth reflection and ensure that those involved in both the management and governance of condominiums are well trained and accountable.

AN EVOLVING ORGANIZATION

Recently, the RGCQ asked itself how best to standardize its vision and actions, while supporting regional particularities; how to make the organization more efficient and sustainable too. This reflection led to a reform of the governance of the provincial RGCQ, a significant step in the organization's evolution. This reform, which came into effect last September, modernizes the entire structure and ensures that regional chapters are better represented, while reinforcing the RGCQ's provincial identity.

From now on, the RGCQ will offer a harmonized experience to all its members, regardless of their geographical location, while leaving each chapter its own voice.

A COMMITTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS

To give shape to its vision, the provincial RGCQ can count on a Board of Directors made up of experienced and committed administrators who ensure the organization's ongoing development. Acting on the issues identified by each regional chapter, the provincial Board of Directors sets the organization's major orientations and guides its priorities.

MANAGEMENT COACHING, DIRECTOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY HOUSING

There are two areas that he would like to prioritize during his presidency, and which are particularly close to his heart: the professionalization of managers and the completion of legislative reform.

"At the time, the aim was to promote sound building management and define the profession of those in charge of it. This association was intended to be a crossroads of knowledge, both for administrators and for those who wished to turn it into a professional activity", he shares at the outset. And that remains just as important in 2022!

First and foremost, this condominium expert deplores the fact that Quebec does not dare to set itself apart when it comes to supervising managers. "Our province has failed to demonstrate its sensitivity to this issue, while Alberta and Ontario have decided to take action in this area. In fact, there is no legislative provision recognizing this activity here. As a result, there is a glaring lack of professional recognition for those who want to make a living from it. This lack of identity can be very problematic!

One of the key elements of his vision is undoubtedly the quality of condominium management. In fact, it was his observation of major shortcomings in this fundamental aspect of co-ownership that led him, along with five other players in the co-ownership world, to set up the RGCQ in 1999.

For Me Joli-Coeur, it's a very demanding profession. And why is it so? "Because you're required to have a legal profile, sufficient knowledge of building techniques and accounting, as well as the ability to manage people and be a good teacher. What's more, managers must have a sixth sense and know how to make co-owners aware of the culture of good living together!

While all this knowledge can be acquired through various training courses, the fact remains that a significant proportion of managers have no choice but to learn the trade directly "in the field": a not inconsiderable risk for the protection of co-owners and the safeguarding of their property assets.

Another undeniable advantage of professionalizing the management profession is to improve the quality of services, while helping to build pride in the profession. Similarly, developing a sense of belonging to an organization that is there to ensure the protection of the public, as is the case for doctors, lawyers or any member of another professional order.

The work of condominium managers should therefore be supervised by an organization akin to a professional order, not only in the interests of condominium owners, but also to ensure the development of a professional activity. The result would be to ensure the longevity of these properties, and thus the protection of their owners' assets. Yves Joli-Coeur is convinced that efforts must continue on this front. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Andrée Laforest, had promised to put the subject of condominium managers back on the agenda for Bill 16, but this never materialized.

Another important aspect is training for condominium administrators and financial support for this collective lodging.

With an average building stock of over thirty years old, significant sums will have to be invested to bring buildings up to standard. As a result, many condominium owners are likely to experience financial difficulties, which will further weaken the condominium associations. Lacking the means to do so, small co-ownerships are likely to bear the brunt, and this at a time when there is a shortage of administrators. "This is another important aspect. The RGCQ is going to have to get involved. It will have to call on the Quebec government to allocate financial resources to small condominiums, which are currently left to fend for themselves.

Of course, he would like to share this vision with RGCQ members and managers, and intends to consult them on the subject.

LEGISLATIVE REFORM

The second priority is to complete the work undertaken in the context of Bill 16, and implement the remaining measures.

Although far from finished, Yves Joli-Coeur remains positive about the progress of the legislative reform. He would like to see it come to fruition as quickly as possible, to put an end to the uncertainty that still looms, and give co-owners and administrators all the tools they need to better plan for the future.

"Today, we still have thousands of people wishing to become homeowners in Quebec who cannot fully assess the risks associated with such a purchase."

Contingency fund studies, maintenance booklets and other measures: regulations are still some way off. At present, buyers still don't have the full picture before investing, and don't really know what it costs to become and remain a co-owner.

For Yves Joli-Coeur, the RGCQ's role is also to make parliamentarians aware of the importance of this segment of the real estate market. It's also important to avoid legislative blunders, such as Article 1074.2 of the Civil Code of Québec, which still penalizes co-ownership. This article weakens the finances of condominium owners' associations in the event of a claim, because insurers fail to pay compensation.

FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Although he is concerned about certain aspects of co-ownership in its current state, Yves Joli-Coeur has a few wishes for the future.

First, that more care be taken of the existing built heritage, and that we invest what is required to keep it in good condition, because, eventually, this will be the legacy for the next generations.

Then, with the organization's financial sustainability in mind, let the RGCQ pursue its efforts to change the view of real estate as a mere disposable commodity, by awakening people to a minimum of social awareness about housing. This means instilling a sense of belonging, and encouraging the Quebec population to take a more community-oriented view of collective housing.

A view that will undoubtedly be carried by the next generation... and the next generation will inevitably involve awareness-raising, professionalization, training and education.

The profile of Quebec co-owners is homogeneous: they earn roughly the same salary and are on average 50 years old. Most of them are Baby Boomers, who have traded in their homes for condominiums. For them, the RGCQ-Québec is an invaluable resource. As in Montreal and Gatineau, more and more condominium owners are turning to it for better information. If properly supervised and managed, this type of housing represents a formidable means of gaining access to home ownership.

Of course, the challenges of the next few years are more or less the same throughout Quebec. The main ones will be to watch out for aging buildings, and to ensure that they are maintained and preserved. Buying a property is the most important investment of a lifetime. So it's vital to preserve the capital value of your unit, to enable it to appreciate in value and generate attractive retirement income.

Over time, I found myself on the board of directors of my union. And, following my syndicate's desire to go into self-management mode, and since retirement gave me quite a lot of time on my hands, I became the manager of my syndicate. It was at this point that I really understood the complexity of managing a union. So I set off in search of information on a variety of subjects, from the declaration of co-ownership, to voting rights, insurance and building by-laws, to the obligations of administrators. That's when I discovered the RGCQ.

The training sessions on a host of subjects answered many of my questions. The forum also enabled me to meet other condominium managers and administrators. Considering the enormous amount of work done by the RGCQ, I decided to get involved with the RGCQ Board of Directors. And the challenges are great.

In the Outaouais region, the number of condominiums has grown at a steady pace over the past 15 years. A significant number of civil servants have become or will soon become retirees. What's more, with real estate prices much lower than in neighboring Ottawa, many Ontarians have moved to the Quebec side of the river. In most cases, first-time condominium buyers have little knowledge of how condominiums work. What's more, the laws governing condominiums in Ontario differ greatly from the provisions of the Quebec Civil Code. In both cases, this often results in a lack of knowledge of the rules governing the operation of syndicates of co-ownership in Quebec. Our goal is to make the RGCQ known to as many syndicate administrators as possible.

If you are already a member, I invite you to continue attending our training sessions to keep up to date. If you're not a member, come and discover the advantages of being better informed about condominium management.

We look forward to meeting you,