In June 2012, the Government of Ontario announced a review of the Condominium Act, 1998. This was a public engagement process aimed at strengthening the Condominium Act to reflect the growing condominium sector in Ontario. The 18-month review sought feedback from stakeholders, such as condominium owners, developers, managers and lawyers. These individuals identified issues and needs and helped develop solutions. This led to more than 200 recommendations and eventually the passing of the Protecting Condominium Owners Act, 2015 (PCOA).

Established as part of the provincial government’s implementation of the PCOA, the CMRAO works in the public interest to licence and regulate condominium managers and condominium management provider businesses. This was identified as a much-needed response to the issues and needs emerging from Ontario’s burgeoning condominium sector.

The CMRAO’s mandate to provide condominium management oversight is set out in the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015, which came into effect on November 1, 2017, the same day that the CMRAO began operations.

Authorities Supporting Ontario’s Condominium Communities

The Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) and the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) are two authorities involved in different aspects of condominium living in Ontario. Although both organizations work in the interest of consumer protection, each organization plays a different role.

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