Bill 16: A Reform Still Incomplete, to the Detriment of Co-Owners

Montreal, April 30, 2025 – Guest on Isabelle Maréchal’s show on QUB Radio, Me Yves Joli-Cœur, a leading condo law expert and president of the Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec (RGCQ), expressed serious concern over the ongoing delays in implementing Bill 16. Adopted in 2019, this ambitious reform aimed to bring greater transparency to condo transactions and strengthen the long-term maintenance of residential buildings. Yet, several essential provisions remain inactive due to the lack of enabling regulations.

A necessary reform, stalled in practice

Among the measures still awaiting implementation are the certificate on the condition of the building, mandatory reserve fund studies, and maintenance logbooks — all essential tools to inform buyers, prevent financial surprises, and ensure proper long-term building upkeep.

“This delay is hard to justify and very damaging,” said Me Joli-Cœur on air. “The longer we postpone these measures, the more vulnerable we make co-owners, especially young families trying to enter the housing market.”

Real risks for buyers

Me Joli-Cœur noted that without final regulations, condo boards are under no obligation to provide a certificate on the condition of the property — leaving buyers in the dark. Many buildings have underfunded or nonexistent reserve funds, which can lead to sudden and costly special assessments for co-owners.

“There are buildings that will have to be demolished,” he said, citing recent cases in Boisbriand and Montreal. These issues stem from a lack of regulation, oversight, and construction quality control.

A lagging framework compared to other provinces

While Ontario has long required condition certificates, building inspections, and maintenance planning, Quebec is trailing behind. “In Ontario, property managers are regulated. Here, we have no such oversight,” said Joli-Cœur.

The consumer protections in Quebec are also considered insufficient, especially in cases of disaster or construction defects. “There’s no mandatory structural inspection for condo towers — that’s unacceptable,” he added.

A clear call to government

Through Me Joli-Cœur, the RGCQ is urging the government to immediately publish the regulatory framework needed to complete Bill 16’s implementation. “It’s time to give Quebec co-owners a real safety net,” he stated. He also called for better regulation of property managers and stronger consumer protections.

Joli-Cœur emphasized the crucial role of well-trained brokers, the importance of reading condo board minutes, and staying informed before buying — while reiterating that the government must act to ensure fairness across the sector.

To learn more

Listen to the full interview on QUB Radio
Read the full transcript of the interview