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RGCQ Governance

The organization at a glance

RGCQ Provincial

Profile of the organization

Governance serving strong commitments

The Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec (RGCQ) has played a major role in promoting the understanding and management of condominiums in Quebec for 25 years now.

Founded with a clear vision of meeting the needs of this specific sector, the RGCQ has become a unifying force not only within the organization, but also in the Quebec landscape.

Over the years, this vision has evolved into a far-reaching mission: to promote the development and improvement of condominium ownership in Québec by providing training and information, and by defending the rights and interests of condominium administrators and co-owners.

But the organization doesn't stop there. We've always had a broader vision, seeking to raise the level of knowledge and thinking about co-ownership. We are therefore striving to play an even more active role in promoting knowledge and best practices in co-ownership. Our aspiration: to make co-ownership a viable and engaging way of life. To achieve this, it is essential to encourage in-depth reflection and ensure that those involved in both the management and governance of condominiums are well trained and accountable.

AN EVOLVING ORGANIZATION

Recently, the RGCQ asked itself how best to standardize its vision and actions, while supporting regional particularities; how to make the organization more efficient and sustainable too. This reflection led to a reform of the governance of the provincial RGCQ, a significant step in the organization's evolution. This reform, which came into effect last September, modernizes the entire structure and ensures that regional chapters are better represented, while reinforcing the RGCQ's provincial identity.

From now on, the RGCQ will offer a harmonized experience to all its members, regardless of their geographical location, while leaving each chapter its own voice.

A COMMITTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS

To give shape to its vision, the provincial RGCQ can count on a Board of Directors made up of experienced and committed administrators who ensure the organization's ongoing development. Acting on the issues identified by each regional chapter, the provincial Board of Directors sets the organization's major orientations and guides its priorities.

Board of directors

  • Yves Joli-Coeur

    President

  • Jean-Pierre Bouchard

    Vice-president

  • Michel Paradis

    Secretary

  • Aline Désormeaux

    Treasurer

  • André Bourassa

    Director

  • Patrick Hiriart

    Director

  • Marc-Antoine L'Allier

    Director

  • Guillaume Leblond

    Director

  • Yves Papineau

    Director

  • Ghislain Raymond

    Director

  • Réjean Touchette

    Director

Executive Management

Management profile

A dynamic, talented and committed team

The RGCQ is also a dynamic, talented and committed team, constantly developing new projects to ensure we always meet our members' needs.

Team

  • Cécile Pilarski

    Executive director

  • Gabrielle Tournier

    Executive assistant

  • Diane Ménard

    Sales director

  • Jade Serbah

    Events and Communications Coordinator

  • Zaïna Bongoso

    Members services Coordinator

  • Lanceny Camara

    Marketing web Coordinator

  • Betrand Rivière

    Training and events coordinator

RGCQ - Montreal

Yves Joli-Coeur

Montreal, président

A word from the president

A human commitment to a sustainable future for co-ownership

Yves Joli-Coeur is a seasoned lawyer who has specialized in condominiums for over 35 years.
Despite the ups and downs, the battles fought and the challenges yet to come, he remains convinced of the raison d'être of the organization he helped found in the early 2000s. 

MANAGEMENT COACHING, DIRECTOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY HOUSING

There are two areas that he would like to prioritize during his presidency, and which are particularly close to his heart: the professionalization of managers and the completion of legislative reform.

"At the time, the aim was to promote sound building management and define the profession of those in charge of it. This association was intended to be a crossroads of knowledge, both for administrators and for those who wished to turn it into a professional activity", he shares at the outset. And that remains just as important in 2022!

First and foremost, this condominium expert deplores the fact that Quebec does not dare to set itself apart when it comes to supervising managers. "Our province has failed to demonstrate its sensitivity to this issue, while Alberta and Ontario have decided to take action in this area. In fact, there is no legislative provision recognizing this activity here. As a result, there is a glaring lack of professional recognition for those who want to make a living from it. This lack of identity can be very problematic!

One of the key elements of his vision is undoubtedly the quality of condominium management. In fact, it was his observation of major shortcomings in this fundamental aspect of co-ownership that led him, along with five other players in the co-ownership world, to set up the RGCQ in 1999.

For Me Joli-Coeur, it's a very demanding profession. And why is it so? "Because you're required to have a legal profile, sufficient knowledge of building techniques and accounting, as well as the ability to manage people and be a good teacher. What's more, managers must have a sixth sense and know how to make co-owners aware of the culture of good living together!

While all this knowledge can be acquired through various training courses, the fact remains that a significant proportion of managers have no choice but to learn the trade directly "in the field": a not inconsiderable risk for the protection of co-owners and the safeguarding of their property assets.

Another undeniable advantage of professionalizing the management profession is to improve the quality of services, while helping to build pride in the profession. Similarly, developing a sense of belonging to an organization that is there to ensure the protection of the public, as is the case for doctors, lawyers or any member of another professional order.

The work of condominium managers should therefore be supervised by an organization akin to a professional order, not only in the interests of condominium owners, but also to ensure the development of a professional activity. The result would be to ensure the longevity of these properties, and thus the protection of their owners' assets. Yves Joli-Coeur is convinced that efforts must continue on this front. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Andrée Laforest, had promised to put the subject of condominium managers back on the agenda for Bill 16, but this never materialized.

Another important aspect is training for condominium administrators and financial support for this collective lodging.

With an average building stock of over thirty years old, significant sums will have to be invested to bring buildings up to standard. As a result, many condominium owners are likely to experience financial difficulties, which will further weaken the condominium associations. Lacking the means to do so, small co-ownerships are likely to bear the brunt, and this at a time when there is a shortage of administrators. "This is another important aspect. The RGCQ is going to have to get involved. It will have to call on the Quebec government to allocate financial resources to small condominiums, which are currently left to fend for themselves.

Of course, he would like to share this vision with RGCQ members and managers, and intends to consult them on the subject.

LEGISLATIVE REFORM

The second priority is to complete the work undertaken in the context of Bill 16, and implement the remaining measures.

Although far from finished, Yves Joli-Coeur remains positive about the progress of the legislative reform. He would like to see it come to fruition as quickly as possible, to put an end to the uncertainty that still looms, and give co-owners and administrators all the tools they need to better plan for the future.

"Today, we still have thousands of people wishing to become homeowners in Quebec who cannot fully assess the risks associated with such a purchase."

Contingency fund studies, maintenance booklets and other measures: regulations are still some way off. At present, buyers still don't have the full picture before investing, and don't really know what it costs to become and remain a co-owner.

For Yves Joli-Coeur, the RGCQ's role is also to make parliamentarians aware of the importance of this segment of the real estate market. It's also important to avoid legislative blunders, such as Article 1074.2 of the Civil Code of Québec, which still penalizes co-ownership. This article weakens the finances of condominium owners' associations in the event of a claim, because insurers fail to pay compensation.

FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Although he is concerned about certain aspects of co-ownership in its current state, Yves Joli-Coeur has a few wishes for the future.

First, that more care be taken of the existing built heritage, and that we invest what is required to keep it in good condition, because, eventually, this will be the legacy for the next generations.

Then, with the organization's financial sustainability in mind, let the RGCQ pursue its efforts to change the view of real estate as a mere disposable commodity, by awakening people to a minimum of social awareness about housing. This means instilling a sense of belonging, and encouraging the Quebec population to take a more community-oriented view of collective housing.

A view that will undoubtedly be carried by the next generation... and the next generation will inevitably involve awareness-raising, professionalization, training and education.

Board of directors

  • Julie Banville

    Director

  • André Bourassa

    Director

  • Valéry Couture

    Director

  • Aline Désormeaux

    Treasurer

  • Patrick Hiriart

    Director

  • David Ménassé

    Director

  • Karl Michel

    Director

  • Yves Papineau

    Director

  • Réjean Touchette

    Director

  • Vacant

    Director

RGCQ - Quebec city

Michel Paradis

Quebec city, president

A word from the president

The Quebec City region is experiencing more conservative condominium development, although the pace of unit construction is stable year after year. After reaching saturation point in the Old Capital's downtown core, condominiums are now springing up in the suburbs.

The profile of Quebec co-owners is homogeneous: they earn roughly the same salary and are on average 50 years old. Most of them are Baby Boomers, who have traded in their homes for condominiums. For them, the RGCQ-Québec is an invaluable resource. As in Montreal and Gatineau, more and more condominium owners are turning to it for better information. If properly supervised and managed, this type of housing represents a formidable means of gaining access to home ownership.

Of course, the challenges of the next few years are more or less the same throughout Quebec. The main ones will be to watch out for aging buildings, and to ensure that they are maintained and preserved. Buying a property is the most important investment of a lifetime. So it's vital to preserve the capital value of your unit, to enable it to appreciate in value and generate attractive retirement income.

Board of directors

  • Sean Beauchemin

    Director

  • Marie-Christine Delisle

    Director

  • Louise Denis

    Director

  • Martin Drolet

    Director

  • Charlotte T. Fortier

    Secretary and Treasurer

  • Annick Grenon

    Director

  • Annie Gosselin

    Director

  • Marc-Antoine L'Allier

    Director

  • Guillaume Leblond

    Director

  • Clémence Robitaille

    Director

  • Ghislaine Thériault

    Director

  • Richard Thibaudeau

    Vice president

  • Maryse Tremblay

    Director

RGCQ - Outaouais

Jean-Pierre Bouchard

Outaouais region, President

A word from the president

I think that my profile corresponds to a typical case of a condo owner. About ten years ago, I saw the end of a 30-year career in the public service on the horizon. The house in the suburbs had become too big. There was no longer any interest in property maintenance, lawn care or yard shovelling. And there was the desire to simply put the key in the lock and travel without having to worry about the house. In short, the ideal candidate for condo ownership.

Over time, I found myself on the board of directors of my union. And, following my syndicate's desire to go into self-management mode, and since retirement gave me quite a lot of time on my hands, I became the manager of my syndicate. It was at this point that I really understood the complexity of managing a union. So I set off in search of information on a variety of subjects, from the declaration of co-ownership, to voting rights, insurance and building by-laws, to the obligations of administrators. That's when I discovered the RGCQ.

The training sessions on a host of subjects answered many of my questions. The forum also enabled me to meet other condominium managers and administrators. Considering the enormous amount of work done by the RGCQ, I decided to get involved with the RGCQ Board of Directors. And the challenges are great.

In the Outaouais region, the number of condominiums has grown at a steady pace over the past 15 years. A significant number of civil servants have become or will soon become retirees. What's more, with real estate prices much lower than in neighboring Ottawa, many Ontarians have moved to the Quebec side of the river. In most cases, first-time condominium buyers have little knowledge of how condominiums work. What's more, the laws governing condominiums in Ontario differ greatly from the provisions of the Quebec Civil Code. In both cases, this often results in a lack of knowledge of the rules governing the operation of syndicates of co-ownership in Quebec. Our goal is to make the RGCQ known to as many syndicate administrators as possible.

If you are already a member, I invite you to continue attending our training sessions to keep up to date. If you're not a member, come and discover the advantages of being better informed about condominium management.

We look forward to meeting you,

Board of directors

  • Mireille Caron

    Director

  • Joël Charron

    Director

  • Ruth Labbé

    Director

  • Sylvie Lafontaine

    Director

  • Richard LeBlanc

    Director

  • Michel Mancini

    Secretary

  • Guy Michaud

    Director

  • Ginette Normand-Aubry

    Treasurer

  • Ghislain Raymond

    Director

  • Mathieu Turpin

    Director