In British Columbia, five million residents live in condominiums and other stratified housing. Recent municipal and provincial policies that push for densification will only increase that number. That means the dream of safe and secure homeownership in the province hinges on the strength of strata governance.
B.C.’s strata councils – often known as condo boards in other parts of the country – are tasked with managing everything from budgets to bylaws. Despite that outsized responsibility, however, they operate without formal training. The result is a patchwork of management quality, rising disputes, and eroding trust in the very institutions meant to safeguard our homes.
Big responsibility, little preparation
As a government relations professional deeply engaged in housing policy, I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of strata literacy undermines community well-being.
Not only do strata councils oversee the governance and operations of a corporation – which, in some cases, have budgets in the tens of millions – they also wield significant influence over residents’ daily lives. Still, many members step into these roles with little understanding of their legal obligations or best practices.
From mismanaged budgets and delayed repairs to inconsistent bylaw enforcement and opaque decision-making, the consequences of untrained governance are far-reaching. The Civil Resolution Tribunal has repeatedly flagged these issues, revealing a troubling pattern of preventable conflicts and costly mistakes.
Call to policymakers
The current policy landscape, anchored by the province’s Strata Property Act and its accompanying regulations, provides a legal framework for strata governance but no guarantee of competence. While the Act outlines duties such as fee collection, property maintenance, and dispute resolution, it assumes council members already possess the skills to execute them. This assumption is no longer tenable.
That is why the B.C. Real Estate Association (BCREA) is calling for a legislative amendment to the Strata Property Act requiring all council members to complete a certified training program. Covering competencies such as financial management, property maintenance, insurance, tenancy law, document management, and meeting procedures, the program would establish a baseline of knowledge, empowering councils to serve their communities effectively and fairly.
This isn’t just about education. It’s about equity, accountability, and the long-term sustainability of our housing system.
By equipping council members with foundational skills, the program would safeguard property values, ensure timely upkeep, reduce the frequency of tenancy disputes, and maintain the financial health of the corporation. Stronger governance fosters stronger relationships among residents, creating more engaged, harmonious communities.
Standardized education would also level the playing field across strata corporations, reducing inequities and ensuring all communities benefit from consistent, competent leadership. When residents feel their concerns are addressed fairly and their homes are well-managed, satisfaction rises, leading to healthier, more resilient neighbourhoods.
Even better, B.C. policymakers would have examples to draw from when creating the program. The Condominium Authority of Ontario already requires training for condo directors through 26 online modules covering governance, legal compliance, and building management.
Closer to home, the Condominium Home Owners Association of B.C. already offers voluntary webinars on strata administration.
We must build on these foundations, formalizing and expanding access to ensure every council member is prepared to lead.
In order for the program to reach its full potential, a strong regulatory framework is essential. This framework would accredit educational institutions, set quality benchmarks, and establish assessment processes to validate competence.
Continuing education requirements would keep council members updated on evolving laws and governance standards, while oversight mechanisms would monitor compliance and enforce penalties. Together, these elements would create a structured, accountable system supporting effective governance provincewide.
It will also be important to maintain an explicit focus on accessibility, particularly to mitigate any concerns that the program could discourage strata council volunteer participation. This includes offering flexible online course formats, self-paced modules, and reasonable timelines for recertification. These features were instrumental in Ontario’s success and should be emphasized in B.C.’s rollout.
To implement this program, BCREA proposes the creation of a dedicated branch within the Ministry of Housing to oversee training. This entity would maintain a registry of certified members, conduct audits, and provide support to councils navigating the new requirements.
Finally, the path to implementation must begin with consultation. Strata residents, property managers, legal experts, and advocacy groups must all be engaged to refine the proposal and build consensus.
Bottom line
Mandatory strata education is not a bureaucratic burden. It’s a public good. It’s a missing pillar in housing policy not just in B.C. but in several other parts of the country – one that strengthens transparency, professionalism, and community resilience. As our cities densify and reliance on stratified housing grows, we must ensure those managing these communities are equipped for the task.
It’s time to move beyond reactive governance and toward a proactive, informed, and equitable system. The homes we live in, and the communities we build, deserve nothing less.
Jasroop Gosal is the Government Relations Manager at the BC Real Estate Association (BCREA). Before joining BCREA, he was the Spokesperson and Policy & Research Manager at the Surrey Board of Trade, where he advanced initiatives related to housing, infrastructure, and economic development. Jasroop brings a background in nonprofit leadership and business advocacy, with a focus on building cross-sector partnerships and driving local impact. He has also worked on strategic campaigns at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, and is passionate about community-building, public policy, and empowering inclusive economic growth across British Columbia.