April 19, 2023 – The news challenges us again and raises serious concerns, with a case of probable bankruptcy for the Pimbina syndicates, which make up the Faubourg Boisbriand co-ownership, struggling with a situation of "accelerated" decline of some 150 units, built barely 15 years ago, due to the poor quality of construction and hidden defects. Indeed, an article from Radio-Canada, broadcast today on its digital platform, reveals the sad fate of 27 buildings of six condo units each in the Faubourg Boisbriand. Construction defects and contamination caused by fungi, the result of water infiltration behind brick facades, are pushing the condominium syndicate to the brink of bankruptcy.
The sums that would be needed to rehabilitate the homes, about $500,000 per unit, would put a strain on the savings of the co-owners and, for some, their plans for the future or retirement. The alternative of demolishing everything – it is an entire neighborhood that is in danger of disappearing – seems to be the appropriate response in the circumstances.
Giving an interview as part of the Radio-Canada report, the lawyer emeritus and president of the Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec (RGCQ), Yves Joli-Coeur, deplored the absence of a law requiring the supervision of construction sites and believes that the government must get involved financially. "We have to ask ourselves: why does this situation arise? The first cause, of course, is that we cannot guarantee quality construction in Quebec. The government must assume its moral responsibility for a legislative deficit that has been known for decades in Quebec. »
By way of a press release, issued on April 19, 2023, the RGCQ thus reiterated the urgency for the current government to take charge of the file of site supervision and to make it a priority so that ultimately a real law comes to oblige the complete supervision of construction sites 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, to protect the interests of citizen co-owners and avoid new tragedies.
It is important to remember that Bill 16, adopted in 2019, aimed at thoroughly reforming the law of divided co-ownership, mainly by regulating building inspections and divided co-ownership, has been waiting, for three years now, for the publication of regulations, 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 the Faubourg Boisbriand is not an isolated case. The average age of the housing stock in divided co-ownership now exceeds 30 years. Make no mistake, many buildings in Quebec are also in danger. It is essential to look at the means to be deployed to ensure the quality of constructions, conservation, and sustainability of buildings and this way of life that grows in popularity every year" – Me Yves Joli-Coeur.
To consult the press release of the Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec (RGCQ):
To consult the Radio-Canada article on the subject:
To consult the interview at 98.5 FM
