Easier to complete

A French-speaking member of the board of directors of a small housing co-op in northern Ontario sought our help when he had trouble completing an annual form from the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO).

A French-speaking member of the board of directors of a small housing co-op in northern Ontario sought our help when he had trouble completing an annual form from the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO). The form, which all condominium boards are required to submit by the beginning of March, was only available in English on the CAO’s website, due to recurring technical issues.

Although the CAO is not directly within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction, we do oversee the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. Our French Language Services Unit raised the matter with Ministry officials, who in turn contacted the CAO. The man confirmed to us that a French-speaking employee at the CAO called him and helped him complete the form, which was made available online in French.