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www.canadianlawyermag.com 41 differently about what needs to be done and how much needs to be spent on maintenance. "At the end of the day, being on a board is difficult, because you're making decisions that affect peoples' homes or their invest- ments, and everyone takes those decisions personally. And they know where you live, which adds another level of complexity to the decisions boards make." Her advice is that condo boards rely on "good professional advice" when making important decisions so that they can live up to their fiduciary duty. T he other lawyers agree, adding their advice. A "strong board chair is needed to keep meetings with owners moving, so you focus on the big picture," says Forbes in Winnipeg. Adds Lash in Toronto: "Don't look for workarounds. And educate yourselves and your fellow owners. Boards don't do enough information meetings and rely too much on the annual meeting." Kiedrowski points out that "once owners understand the need, they' ll likely go with the plan. They might not like it, but they are prepared for it." And Bleay in B.C. notes that while the laws on condos/strata are designed for consumer protection purposes, ultimately, "it is up to boards, and their owners, to protect their investments and get things done." Right-sized Thinking® • 1-800-323-3781 • pallettvalo.com The Right Fit Matters We provide forward-thinking legal counsel designed to respond to each client's unique legal challenges. At Pallett Valo, the right fit matters. That's what we call Right-sized Thinking®. C A N A D I A N L AW Y E R M A G A Z I N E 2021-22 TOP 10 ONTARIO FIRMS 2021-22 TOP 10 ONTARIO FIRMS "It is up to boards, and their owners, to protect their investments and get things done." Jamie Bleay, Access Law