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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