Directors’ Code of Ethics
The Canadian Condominium Institute, a industry lobby group that is
dominated by industry lawyers, has a Directors' Code of Ethics
and many condo corporations, that are affiliated with CCI, have passed
a by-law stating that all directors must sign and agree to follow the
code.
The code
Many condos have modified the code to suit their purposes. In part, the
code states the following:
Confidentiality – I will not
disclose to any person (including my
spouse) information decided by the Board to be confidential or
privileged or which reasonably ought to be deemed confidential. When
in doubt, I will request determination by a resolution of the Board.
Good Conduct – At all times, I will conduct myself in a
professional
and businesslike manner at meetings of Directors or Owners. I will
approach all Board issues with an open mind, preparing to make the best
decisions on behalf of the Corporation. I will act ethically with
integrity and in accordance with legal criteria. I will comply with
rules of good conduct and will deal with others in a respectful
manner. I will comply with principles of good governance and
procedural rules of order.
Support – I will abide by decisions of the majority of the
Directors
even though I may disagree, but I reserve the right to express my own
views to owners upon non- confidential issues.
Defamation – I will not make erroneous or defamatory statements
about
the Corporation or any owner, resident, director, officer, manager,
staff or contractor of the Corporation.
Minimize Conflict – I will attempt to prevent or minimize
conflict and
disruption and will promote good relations amongst persons involved in
our Condominium Community. I will promote a first class image for our
Corporation, its units, owners and residents.
Education – recognizing that governance of a Condominium
Corporation
involves complex and changing requirements,
I will continue to
educate myself by reading relevant magazines (such as
CCI’s News
& Views, CM Magazine or Condominium Business Magazine). I will
support attendance by one or more Board members at any condominium
seminars presented by the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI),
including CCI’s Basic Directors’ Course and CCI Advanced Directors’
Courses at the costs of the Corporation.
Agreement – I hereby agree to comply with the provisions set
out in this Directors’ Code of Ethics.
The good
There is a lot of good in the Code of Ethics and the good needs to be
retained. The directors should not represent just one type of owners,
either by type of ownership be it absentee landords, the commercial
units or by favouring a certain ethnic group.
Nor should a director assume that the position will benefit him
financially.
Not so good
However, there is a thread of secrecy and conformity about the board's
affairs that is worrying. A director may find that the majority of the
board is not acting in the best interests of the owners and yet, this
agreement binds that director to silence.
That is why some condo directors openly call this a Code of Silence.
Shameless
self-interest
"I will
support attendance by one or more Board members at any condominium
seminars presented by the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI),
including CCI’s Basic Directors’ Course and CCI Advanced Directors’
Courses at the costs of the Corporation."
This allows CCI to make a pile of loot by charging for very expensive
courses and conventions.
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