Alberta introduces Bill 30 to help with condo incorporation despite resolution tribunal

The province is introducing a new bill to encourage faster payments for construction projects and improve governance in condo communities.

Bill 30 would propose changes to three pieces of legislation: the Condominium Property Act, the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act and the Public Works Act.

If the bill is passed, a Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal would be established.

“A tribunal dedicated to resolving common condominium disputes would provide an affordable and accessible alternative to taking disputes to court,” Dale Nally, Alberta Minister of Service and Bureaucracy Reduction, said during the hearing on Monday.

“Especially for cases that occur regularly and are usually not dealt with through the court.”

The tribunal’s mandate and enforcement powers have not yet been defined, but the province says these details will be set out in regulations.

Nally says he heard the need for effective dispute resolution after consulting with about 200 stakeholders.

The minister cannot say when the new tribunal will be established.

Bill 30 will also make changes to condo management and ensure that any “comebacks” on units are treated as condo fees, requiring owners to refund them immediately.

The province plans to implement the changes in the spring of 2025 if the bill is passed.

With files from Chelan Skulski of CTV News Edmonton