The Condominium Authority of Ontario has drafted an anti-harassment rule for condo corporations to consider including in their rules. The news comes as condo communities struggle with escalating issues of harassment.

The rule is designed to help condo corporations build clear, consistent, and transparent processes for addressing the prevention, preparedness, and response to harassment in their respective communities.

Boards with current provisions in place are encouraged to consult with their legal counsel to consider any revisions to existing rules and to ensure that the appropriate protocol set out in the Condo Act is followed for passing and implementing any new or revised rules.

According to the CAO, “Harassment means engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome or offensive, abusive, threatening or intimidating, whether verbal or physical, including, without limitation, bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment.”

Some examples are demeaning or abusive supervision, communication or instruction, bullying, pranks, vandalism, hazing or aggressive behaviour, and offensive or intimidating communications of any nature, whether in person, telephone call, email, text, post, blog or other social media communication.

The rule outlines 19 provisions, for instance, “At the conclusion of the Corporation’s investigation, the Corporation’s Board shall issue a report on the matter which will be filed as a confidential record of the Corporation and shared with the parties directly involved on a confidential basis.”

The CAO is looking for feedback to refine and improve this rule. Condo corporations can review the sample and consider how it can be adapted to their unique needs as they work to de-escalate difficult situations between condo community members. More info can be found here.