Friends,
With December we have the official start of winter, but we all know winter started long ago here. It is of course a very busy month for us all. The year is coming to an end, so many things have to be finalized. And there are the holidays to prepare for and enjoy.
December also brings a busy legislative session to a close. We amended the Human Rights act to protect against age discrimination. It includes provisions which allow seniors-only housing to continue without violating the act. The minimum age cut-off would be 55. Existing age-restricted condominiums would be granted a 15-year transition period to provide affected Albertans with substantial notice.
I recently announced the first stage of regulations related to the Condominium Property Amendment Act. These new regulations are focused on condo buying. New protections include: more information for buyers at the time they make their purchase; the option to cancel a contract if the unit doesn’t look like what were promised, or if their occupancy is delayed; new trust money safeguards for deposits; more information handed over from the developer to the first condo board after it has been elected by the owners; new inspection and enforcement powers for government to ensure developers are following the rules. The bulk of the new regulations focused on buying a condo will come into effect Jan. 1, 2018, with the remainder coming into force April 1. There is currently a survey available until November 10 at condo.alberta.ca for people to give input on the next round of condo regulations.
Looking ahead in December, the Triwood Community Association will be hosting their Christmas Market from 11-4 on December 3rd. They will also have a children’s Christmas party on December 10th from 12-4 and an adult Christmas party on December 16th from 6:30-9.
Our office serves all the people of Varsity, Dalhousie, Brentwood, Banff Trail, University Heights, Montgomery, and Charleswood. Our team is available to talk to constituents about provincial government departments, programs, scrolls, and services. To find out more drop in, call, email, or check out stephaniemclean.albertandpcaucus.ca.
