Falling Glass. Out of Service elevators. Years of fighting with the developer to fix deficiencies. Units that look nothing like the plan that was promised. These are just some of the issues Condo Buyers in Toronto face according to recent media reports.

If that’s not enough to keep buyers awake at night, it turns out that maybe only scratching the surface.

According to a recent CBC look at the issue "A small but growing chorus is sounding the alarm about the future of these buildings." In fact warnings are being issued about the dark side to our condo boom, just as we plan to expand this form of housing even further.

The CBC reported that " industry insiders warn that as energy costs climb, glass towers may become the "pariah" buildings of the future." Even more concerning to buyers are warnings from building Scientists, such as Dr. John Staube of the University of Waterloo, of the long-term failure of glass structures.

Many of us will buy a condo, the largest purchase of our lives, without really knowing all the facts. How can we protect ourselves?

Does the dark side to the condo boom cry out for better Consumer Protection? Trinity-Spadina MPP Rosario Marchese‘s answer with an empathic YES!

On February 27, at the monthly meeting of civic engagement group Why Should I Care? (WSIC), Trinity-Spadina MPP Rosario Marchese discusses his proposed Condominium Owners Protection Act. He will share with us why he believes Consumers need protection.

The downtown Toronto MPP has introduced the Condominium Owners Protection Act three times in the last four years and plans to present a revised version again during the upcoming session of the Ontario Legislature. Doing so would reopen the Condo Act for the first time since 1997.

If passed, this legislation would better protect consumers, improve building practices, and create a tribunal to deal with disputes between owners, developers, and property managers.

WSIC's events are free, non-partisan, and held in an inviting, low-key environment. All are welcome to attend, ask questions, and share their ideas through thoughtful discussion. For more information on this and other events by WSIC go to www.whyshouldicare.ca

This event will take place at the Duke of York Pub (39 Prince Arthur Blvd) from 7 to 9 pm