In this episode of #WeSpeakCondo, Nicholas speaks with Antoni Casalinovo from Deo Condominium Law about contracts in condominium corporations.

They discuss service agreements, construction contracts, CCDC contracts, one-off work orders, unionized security and cleaning contracts, auto-renewal clauses, termination rights, change orders, liens, bonding, payment schedules, and the role of lawyers, engineers, and consultants in protecting the condo corporation.

Anthony also explains why condo boards should be careful with informal approvals, unclear scopes of work, purchase orders, long-term service agreements, and financing arrangements that may require a borrowing bylaw.

A valuable episode for condo board members, property managers, condominium owners, contractors, consultants, and anyone involved in Ontario condo operations.

#WeSpeakCondo is back after eight years.

In this relaunch episode, Nicholas speaks with Sam Soltani, Founder and President of The Trace Group, about the Ontario Fire Code changes condo managers and boards need to understand going into 2026.

They discuss carbon monoxide detection, fire alarm inspections, smoke control testing, fire safety plans, fire watch obligations, record keeping, fire panel repair versus replacement, and the growing responsibility condo corporations have when it comes to life safety compliance.

Sam also shares practical advice on how condo boards can use engineers, audits, and proactive maintenance planning to avoid costly surprises and better protect their buildings.

A must-listen for condo managers, board members, property managers, engineers, and anyone involved in Ontario condominium operations.

In this episode, we cover:

• New Ontario Fire Code changes affecting condos
• Carbon monoxide detection requirements in hallways
• Fire alarm inspection and record-keeping standards
• CAN/ULC S536, S537, and S1001 requirements
• Smoke control testing and fire safety plan updates
• Fire watch responsibilities and risks
• Fire alarm panel repair vs. replacement
• Condo board and management liability
• Why engineering assessments matter before major projects
• How proactive HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire maintenance can save condo corporations money

Guest: Sam Soltani
Company: The Trace Group
Websites: traceconsultinggroup.com
Contact: [email protected]

Subscribe to #WeSpeakCondo for practical conversations about condo management, governance, compliance, maintenance, and the issues that matter most to condominium communities.

#WeSpeakCondo resumes with special guest Carol Dirks, Partner at Fogler Rubinoff’s Condo Law Group. Carol Dirks has been practicing condominium law and litigation for more than 25 years and joins us to discuss what condominium boards and managers are adapting to COVID-19.

Our discussion includes recreational facilities, condominium liens and collections, board and community meetings under quarantine and financial concerns for condominiums during the pandemic.

You can reach Carol Dirks by contacting her at:

http://foglers.com/expertise-and-industry/see-practice-areas/commercial-real-estate/lawyers/carol-a-dirks

Established in 2016, Parity is an energy management platform for condo buildings. Using smart sensors & controls, their cloud software guarantees energy savings (typically 20-30%) on energy consumption through data-driven optimization of a building’s HVAC system. 

Parity customers will save over $2M combined in the coming year. Every building is different. Contact Parity to see if your building qualifies for a free building assessment.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.paritygo.com

 Special Guests:

Noah Maislin & Marko Lindhe of Minutes Solutions

Minutes Solutions Inc. is an experienced, professional third-party minute taking company specializing in transcribing comprehensive meeting minutes, allowing board members to focus on the tasks at hand. Founded in 2014, Minutes Solutions continues to grow and has a fundamental understanding of what goes (and doesn’t go) into a quality set of minutes. 

Since inception, Minutes Solutions has maintained an integral focus in minute taking and now offers additional services including virtual minute taking, audio recorded minutes, and a phone-based application that streamlines the process. For all your questions and inquiries please contact: [email protected]

1 888 570 1149

Website: www.minutessolutions.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minutes-solutions-6a3426b1/

 We’re back! After a temporary hiatus #WeSpeakCondo returns with condominium lawyer Armand Conant to discuss the Condominium Authority of Ontario (“CAO”) and the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (“CMRAO”). These two separate governing bodies were recently established by the Province to oversee condominium corporations and condominium managers. 

We discuss why the Province made sweeping reforms to the Condominium Act, 1998 as well as the function of the CAO & CMRAO and how these government institutions impact condominium owners, managers and boards of directors. 

Armand heads up the Condominium Law Group at Shibley Righton LLP and represents numerous condominium corporations of all types across Ontario. He is a Past-President of the Canadian Condominium Institute (Toronto), where he also serves on its Board of Directors and is Chair of the joint ACMO and CCI (Toronto) Legislative Committee, which prepared and submitted an extensive legislative brief to the Ontario government with recommendations for changes to the Condominium Act, 1998 (the “Act”).

Armand has been on all the government committees involved in the reform of the Act and was one of 11 people appointed to the government's Expert Panel that conducted the final analysis of the Act. Armand has also been appointed as one of the four founding/first Directors of the newly created Condominium Authority of Ontario.

Armand is a recipient of the ACMO Special Recognition Award which is presented to recognize an individual for special achievements and services that have positively impacted the condominium industry in Ontario. He is also a past recipient of ACMO's President's Award and the Associate Member of the Year Award.

http://www.shibleyrighton.com/Lawyers/Lawyers_List/~183_Armand%20G.R.%20Conant