About Ottawa Carleton, ON

While it's not quite yet air condition season, warmer weather is certainly on its way. In preparation for the summer season, why not consider participating in the peaksaver® program, offered by the Ontario Power Authority and Hydro Ottawa? When you join the program, Hydro Ottawa will provide you with a free programmable thermostat for your home, installation included. In addition, they will also give you $25 just for participating. This comes to a total value of approximately $350. During the summer, only on the hottest days, Hydro Ottawa will cycle your air conditioning to help reduce demand on the electricity system.

Join over 15,000 other Ottawa residents by signing up online or by calling 1-866-813-2226.

While it's not quite yet air condition season, warmer weather is certainly on it's way. In preparation for the summer season, why not consider participating in the peaksaver® program, offered by the Ontario Power Authority and Hydro Ottawa? When you join the program, Hydro Ottawa will provide you with a free programmable thermostat for your home, installation included. In addition, they will also give you $25 just for participating. This comes to a total value of approximately $350. During the summer, only on the hottest days, Hydro Ottawa will cycle your air conditioning to help reduce demand on the electricity system.

Join over 15,000 other Ottawa residents by signing up online or by calling 1-866-813-2226.

Condo case suggests smoking a looming problem in condos

In a recent B.C. case, an elderly couple with various health difficulties, including respiratory problems, pursued a human rights case against their condo corporation.

Another condo resident, a smoker, moved in beneath the couple's unit. Second-hand smoke apparently made it's way into the couple's unit upstairs, exacerbating their health problems.

Although the couple complained to the condo board, nothing was done about the problem. In this case, the condo did not have any rules prohibiting smoking in a resident's unit (although, presumeably, they would have such rules for common areas, hallways, balconies, etc.)

The position of the condo board was that because they didn't have any rules or bylaw prohibiting smoking, there was no basis for them to compel the other condo owners to stop smoking in their unit.

Human rights law supercedes anything contained, or not contained, in a condo's rules or bylaws. Human rights law includes the stipulation that you cannot be denied occupancy in an accommodation on an enumerated ground - such as a medical disability like a breathing problem. Failure to accommodate a disability can constitute discrimination.

As far as I know, condos don't prohibit smoking within a residential unit. From a practical point of view, it's not clear to me how a situation like this could be handled by a condo board. The reality of condo living is that you're sharing space with others and, in so doing, you lose a certain amount of control over your living situation. Maybe in the future we will see smoke-free condos.

This case may have significant implications for condo boards and for management companies down the road.

This blog is intended as general information only and does not consitute legal advice. If you need legal advice, please speak to a lawyer.

Kerry Fox is a real estate lawyer practising in Nepean, Ontario.

Hints of warm weather this early in the year gives everyone something to smile about. In a few more weeks spring will be dancing in the air; snow will melt away reminders of winter and the city's runners, walkers, and cyclists will start to populate the streets again. Summer athletes are prepping for the new season and if your sport is golf then it's time for you to gear up too!

The best way to welcome your 2010 Golf Season is to join fellow golfers at the 2010 Ottawa Gatineau Golf Expo hosted at the Ottawa Athletic Club March 27^th and 28^th. This is Ottawa's 16^th consecutive year putting on this exciting event and it is designed to give golfers the opportunity to test the latest golf equipment on the market, plan their golf schedules, and pick up tips from the pros--key elements for a promising season of golf.

The Golf Expo is for golfers of all ages and capabilities and with this nice weather gracing the Ottawa area the weekend is sure to be a blast. There will be raffles with chances to win free golf clothing to keep you trendy on the fairway (like the new golf expo jacket worth over $5000!), a free golf seminar, putting contests for cash, and lots of food and beverages.

Make the Ottawa Gatineau Golf Expo a fun family outing because this event is by no means an "adults only" affair. The first 125 kids to enter the Golf Expo Saturday and Sunday morning will receive free golf clubs courtesy of TaylorMade Golf. You can also stop by the "Take a Kid to the Course Week" exhibition to pick up a list of golf courses that will be participating.

This Ottawa Gatineau Golf Expo is a great way to swing into spring so Reserve Tickets Today!

Adults/Seniors: $14
**All Adult paid admission includes a entry ballot for chance to win the the Golf Expo Jackpot (worth over $5,000 value in golf accessories, travel and green fees) and a FREE sleeve of Top Flite XL 5000 golf balls.

Children 12 and under will receive FREE admission.

Tickets are available at the door. No advance tickets. Cash only.

FREE PARKING at the OAC Parking Lot.

Ottawa Athletic Club: 2525 Lancaster Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Hope to see you all there and check back on our blog at www.myottawarealestate.com after the event to watch our video covering the 2010 Ottawa Gatineau Golf Expo!

"Four!"