The RGCQ is 20 years old

THE STARS ALIGNED AND THE RGCQ TOOK SHAPE IN 1999. ITS BEGINNINGS WERE VERY MODEST, BUT THIS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION CLIMBED THE RUNG ONE BY ONE, SLOWLY BUT SURELY, TO BECOME A REFERENCE IN GOOD CO-OWNERSHIP GOVERNANCE IN QUEBEC.

“The RGCQ rocket has been launched. It is now in orbit,” said André M. Benoît, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of this group. The man joined it a few months after its creation. Today, the condo planet could no longer do without the RGCQ, whose multiple interventions – on various issues specific to Quebec co-ownership – have helped to forge its credibility.

CO-FOUNDERS

Co-founded by the distinguished lawyer Yves Joli-Coeur, who has been its Secretary General since its very beginnings, the RGCQ has other founders, including Jan Towarnicki (Adm.A.), President of the Board of Directors of the RGCQ Montréal and provincial. Added to this list are the late Pierre César, Jean Caron, Richard Presseault and Raymond Ouimet.

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Despite modest means at the start, the RGCQ was quick to make its presence felt. Elected officials had a good idea, three years after its creation, in 1999, when it succeeded in having Article 1069 of the Civil Code of Québec amended. The latter now requires any new purchaser of a co-ownership apartment to pay, at the time of purchase, the common charges (condo fees) outstanding for the said apartment.

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They all had one thing in common: the desire to respond to the growing questions expressed by a growing number of co-owners, in search of answers that were often difficult to find. “At the time, we were well aware that the problems related to sound governance in co-ownership were going to peak. The RGCQ came to counterbalance this proven reality,” says Yves Joli-Coeur.

A MODERNIZED CO-OWNERSHIP ACT

A dynamic entity in search of tangible results, the RGCQ has been on a crusade, since its creation, to modernize the legislative framework governing Quebec co-ownership. After several fiercely contested behind-the-scenes battles, its leaders are on the verge of winning their case, under Bill 16. This provides for major legislative changes so that all co-ownership syndicates can perpetuate their real estate assets.

It all really began in 2010 with the former Minister of Justice of Quebec, Kathleen Weil, who symbolized the genesis of a change whose results took a long time to come. The Co-ownership Working Group was created under her leadership, as well as that of the Chambre des notaires du Québec. Chaired by notary Christine Gagnon, this group was mandated to identify the main problems experienced in co-ownership in Quebec. And it did so in 2011, when it submitted a report that listed them exhaustively.

JEAN-MARC FOURNIER ENTERS THE SCENE

Jean-Marc Fournier succeeded Kathleen Weil that same year. During an interview with him for Condoliaison magazine, the man suggested that before taking legislative action, it was necessary to expose the difficulties specific to this collective residential concept. The Co-ownership Consultation Days, which took place in 2012 in Montreal and Quebec City, provided an opportunity for several co-ownership administrators, co-owners, managers and public and private organizations, to name a few, to report on the many pitfalls encountered there. The result was a report produced by the Co-ownership Advisory Committee, of which Yves Joli-Coeur was one of the seven members.

ON THE ROAD TO LEGISLATIVE REFORM

Other Ministers of Justice took over subsequently, namely Bertrand St-Arnaud and Stéphanie Vallée, but there was no clear desire for legislative reform when they were in office. It was not until the appointment of Lise Thériault in 2018 that things began to move concretely. Appointed Minister responsible for Consumer Protection and Housing, she kept her promise by tabling Bill 401, just before the provincial election was called in the fall of 2018. But since her party was defeated, everything fell through. It was now up to the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ).

But since the CAQ had made this legislative reform an election commitment, its leaders also kept their promise. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Andrée Laforest, therefore relaunched the debate with her Bill 16. During the parliamentary committee that followed to discuss it, the RGCQ made representations.

On May 7, 2019, a delegation from the RGCQ came to Quebec City. It consisted of Yves Joli-Coeur, General Manager Laurent Émery, Adrien Vallat, Research and Analysis Coordinator at the RGCQ, as well as professional technologist Réjean Touchette, member of the RGCQ Montreal Board of Directors. Their interventions focused, among other things, on the study of the contingency fund and the maintenance logbook, not to mention co-ownership managers. This organization advocates for their professionalization, so that co-ownership syndicates are better protected.

TRAINING FOR CO-OWNERSHIP MANAGERS

Three years earlier, in 2016, the RGCQ partnered with the Centre de perfectionnement de l’École des sciences de la gestion (ESG UQAM) to provide university training in co-ownership management. “At a time when this collective housing formula is at the forefront of the residential real estate sector, and when many consumers are buying a condo, mastering co-ownership is the key to exemplary management,” read a news story posted online on Condolegal.com.

Innovations have continued within this organization, thanks to the contribution of leaders who have taken it to new levels, notably by creating a recurring event called Speed-Condo. The first one hit the mark in 2010, so much so that the stage was set to present others. This concept aims to inform the audience on a predetermined topic. Among those that have been covered are Tobacco and Cannabis in Co-ownership, as well as Recovery of Unpaid Condo Fees. Its two main founders, lawyers Ludovic Le Draoullec and Marie-Cécile Bodéüs, gave it the playful impetus needed to achieve the expected success.

CONFERENCES

The RGCQ conferences, which take place in the spring and fall, are two other key events that attract attention. Several renowned speakers, including lawyers, notaries, building professionals and co-ownership managers, to name a few, meet there to demystify the many facets of co-ownerships. We must not forget the RGCQ’s participation, in partnership with Condolegal.com, at the ExpoHabitation de Montréal where it has been presenting the Condo Pavilion for several years now. Not to mention the publication of Condoliaison magazine, which began in 2000.

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The RGCQ would like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Diane Ménard, sales director who has been with this organization since its very beginnings. She has contributed to the growth of the RGCQ in various ways, including by recruiting unions and corporate members. Diane Ménard is now responsible for producing the supplier directory. She is also assigned to advertising sales for Condoliaison magazine and sponsorships for our many events. In addition, she is always looking for new corporate members.

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In short, the RGCQ has reached maturity. It now has a solid foundation and can look to the future with confidence. The work accomplished by this organization has borne fruit, but this is only the beginning. “One of the reasons for our group’s existence will be fulfilled very soon, due to a legislative reform that is about to be adopted by our elected officials. If only for this reason, the RGCQ now has all the legitimacy required to continue moving forward, so that Quebec co-ownership can ensure its sustainability,” concludes Laurent Émery.

Condoliaison 20-4 Autunm 2019