Old News
A Bit of Our History, 2018
NOVEMBER 2017 (updated January 2018)
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The Condominium Authority Tribunal of Ontario - one of Canada's only online dispute resolution systems - opened its doors, so to speak, just before midnight on November 1, 2017. Announced as the first members of the Tribunal are:
CHAIR: Ian Darling (formerly ombudsman for Tarion Warranty Corporation) VICE CHAIRS: Michael Clifton (founding partner, Clifton Kok LLP) Patricia McQuaid (lawyer, mediator, Vice-Chair of LAT) MEMBERS:
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FEBRUARY 2018
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In the Spring of 2008, after Mark and Michael started Clifton Kok LLP up on the third floor of 10 Northumberland Street in Ayr, Ontario, they were able to witness a major flood event by the Nith River that runs just a few meters away from the building's back lot. So, when they purchased the neighbouring building - 12 Northumberland Street - they knew that flood proofing was a necessity.
The firm's office is secured from a major flood by gravel, foam insulation, concrete, chipcrete, and a series of weeping tiles that feed ground water into a massive tank that, in turn, delivers that water to two powerful sump pumps that spew the water back outside of the building. As Mark says in a CTV News video linked here, the idea is to get the water out of the building before it comes in. The theory is great, and the equipment actually works perfectly, except, of course, for human error. When the next major flood hit the area on February 21, 2018, everything was going well for a while, till (as was discovered after the fact) the water pressure blew the pipes out of place that were directing pumped water out of the building, such that all that water powerfully came back in, covering the basement (with the maximum depth of the water being well over one foot for a while). The fault? Whoever installed the pipes, simply didn't |
tighten them sufficiently. This problem has now been corrected.
Fortunately, the firm and its partners have no end of friends, neighbours and colleagues, who managed to set up 8 substitute sump pumps to control the water (till the flood began to recede) and dry out the basement (which then allowed them to discover what had gone wrong).
Although the firm needed to remain closed for one day to assess the situation, by late afternoon on February 23 (less than 12 hours after the flooded river had started to turn back) all systems were being restored to normal and business was resumed.
Fortunately, the firm and its partners have no end of friends, neighbours and colleagues, who managed to set up 8 substitute sump pumps to control the water (till the flood began to recede) and dry out the basement (which then allowed them to discover what had gone wrong).
Although the firm needed to remain closed for one day to assess the situation, by late afternoon on February 23 (less than 12 hours after the flooded river had started to turn back) all systems were being restored to normal and business was resumed.
FEBRUARY-JULY 2018
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FEB 13, 2018 - CCI GRC - INFO SESSION FOR SELF-MANAGED CONDOMINIUMSMichael and a number of other lawyers, managers and other condominium professionals provided an information session for self-managed condominiums on behalf of CCI-Grand River Chapter.
FEB 21, 2018 - KWAR SEMINAR ON CONDOMINIUM LAWMichael delivered a presentation to members of the KW Association of Realtors, answering a variety of questions relating to condominium sales and purchase transactions. Michael has offered presentations on condominium law to members of KWAR anually since 2007.
MAR 1, 2018 - SANDERSON MANAGEMENT INC. LUNCH & LEARNMichael was guest presenter at a Lunch & Learn session for managers at Sanderson Management Inc. discussing some of the recent changes to the Act.
MAR 21, 2018 - CCI GRC - BILL 106 BOOT CAMPMaria reprised her role at the second Bill 106 Boot Camp by CCI-GRC, speaking about changes to condominium documents under the new legislation.
MAY 4 & 5, 2018 - CCI GRC TRADE SHOW & CONFERENCE 2018Both Michael and Maria participated in various sessions of this year's GRC Conference and Trade Show, and Michael was moderator for the popular Legal Rapid Fire Case Law Review. Chocolate treats were literally flying through the air!
MAY 15, 2018 - CCI LONDON SEMINARMichael joined other legal professional to discuss a pot pourri of issues in the annual "There are no stupid questions" panel review held by the London and Area Chapter of CCI.
JULY 17, 2018 - CCI GRC LEADER'S CIRCLEMichael participated in a Leader's Circle panel in Brantford, exploring current issues in condominium law, particularly relating to cannabis.
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AUGUST 2018
CHARLIE COMES TO CLIFTON KOK LLP!
Clifton Kok LLP welcomed a new member of the office: Charlie the cat! She's been a real hit in the neighbourhood, and gets cuter by the day.