Drama in Faubourg Boisbriand

April 19, 2023 – The news is once again challenging us and raising serious concerns, with a probable bankruptcy case for the Pimbina syndicates, which make up the Faubourg Boisbriand co-ownership, grappling with a situation of “accelerated” decline of some 150 units, built barely 15 years ago, due to poor construction quality and hidden defects.

Indeed, a Radio-Canada article, broadcast today on its digital platform, reveals the sad fate of 27 homes of six condo units each in Faubourg Boisbriand. Construction defects and contamination caused by fungi, the result of water infiltration behind the brick facades, are pushing the co-ownership syndicate to the brink of bankruptcy. The sums that would be necessary to rehabilitate the homes, approximately $500,000 per unit, would strain the savings of the co-owners and, for some, their future or retirement plans. The alternative of demolishing everything – an entire neighbourhood risks disappearing – seems to be the appropriate response in the circumstances.

Giving an interview as part of the Radio-Canada report, the distinguished lawyer and President of the RGCQ, Yves Joli-Cœur, deplored the absence of a law requiring the monitoring of construction sites and believes that the government must get involved financially. “We have to ask ourselves the question: why is this situation occurring? The first cause, obviously, is that we cannot guarantee quality construction in Quebec. The government must assume its moral responsibility for a legislative deficit that we have known about for decades in Quebec.”

In a press release issued on April 19, 2023, the RGCQ once again reiterated the urgency for the current government to take charge of the issue of construction site monitoring and make it a priority so that ultimately a real law will require complete construction site monitoring by professionals. The RGCQ also urges the government to act without delay to finalize its reform and bring into force all the provisions of Bill 16, in order to protect the interests of co-owners and avoid new tragedies.

It is important to remember that Bill 16, adopted in 2019, aimed at thoroughly reforming the law on divided co-ownership, mainly by regulating building inspections and divided co-ownership, has been waiting for the publication of regulations for three years now, particularly with regard to the obligation to carry out a contingency fund study and a maintenance logbook.

“Unfortunately, the situation of the co-owners of Faubourg Boisbriand is not an isolated case. The average age of the real estate in divided co-ownership is now over 30 years; we should not be fooled, many buildings in Quebec are also in danger. It is essential to consider the means to be deployed to ensure the quality of construction, the conservation, and the sustainability of buildings and this lifestyle that is growing in popularity every year” – Me Yves Joli-Cœur.

To view the press release from the Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec (RGCQ):

• The RGCQ is calling for mandatory monitoring of residential construction sites for better control of construction quality, consumer protection and public safety

To view the Radio-Canada article on the subject:

• Stupefaction in Boisbriand: 162 condo owners will have to abandon their homes

To view the interview on 98.5 FM:

• Poorly built condos: 160 owners lose their investment