Q&A: Lessons to Learn from this Pandemic - by Kristi Sargeant - Kerr, Laura Glithero and Jennifer Dickenson
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Changing times developed this thoughtful Q&A with three of our CCI Board members about what we should be taking away from this Pandemic. We hope you will find to be timely and interesting. Kristi Sargeant-Kerr of Scott Petrie LLP and Laura Glithero of Cohen High- ley LLP provide legal assistance, working closely with Corporations and the government to help us get through this time of emergency. Jennifer Dickenson of Dickenson Condo Management asked them questions to see what we could learn from this unprecedented situ- ation. Jennifer: As Boards have settled with the pandemic restrictions, should they be considering how to reopen their amenities, when the time comes? What steps should they consider? Laura: If you haven’t started to think about re-opening, you should start immediately. There are a lot of questions that need to be consid- ered and this is something the Cor- poration will want to get right the first time. In terms of process, boards should consider adopting a process that could include the following steps: Inventory: Make a list of all amenities (including indoor and outdoor spaces) Research: Review public health
Determine How: Develop your plan for safely re-opening each amenity space. As part of this process, you will need to consider what new rules are required and what resources and equip- ment is needed before you can re-open to ensure the safety of staff and residents Determine When: Determine whether you are allowed to re-open each amenity and, even if you are, consider whether it is reasonable and in the best interests of the Corporation to re-open Act: Once the Board has made the decision to re-open, it is time to implement your plan. This should include training and monitoring staff, notifying owners about the new require- ments, posting signage and, if appropriate, obtaining signed waivers from those who use the amenity Review and Revise: One thing that has become clear as we have moved through this process is that things change, sometimes quickly. You should maintain and revise your plan as new information becomes avail- able and best practices are developed Kristi: In addition to the thorough risk assessment protocol outlined by Laura, when reviewing your list of amenities, consider whether they are essential or non-essential and whether they contribute to the resi- dents’ physical and mental health.
Kristi M. Sargeant-Kerr , LL.B. joined the law firm of Scott Petrie LLP as a partner in 2017. Kristi specializes in all aspects of condo- minium law, including manage- ment and litigation. She made this transition after years of personal interest in the condominium field and a keen interest and involve- ment in mediation and arbitration at numerous administrative Boards and Tribunals since her call to the bar in 2003. Kristi is currently the Secretary of the Lon- don and Area Chapter Board of CCI.
Laura Glithero , JD is a partner with Cohen Highley LLP in Lon- don. She has extensive experience in condominium law and acts for many property managers and con- do corporations. She also practices administrative law, landlord and tenant matters, provides practical advice to businesses about imple- menting the Accessibility for On- tarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). She was elected to the CCI Board in 2016. .
protocols and recommen- dations for each of those amenities (in addition to local, provincial and federal guidelines, the CDC has released some comprehen- sive cleaning and disinfect-
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