Definition : Director - Ethics

La webradio du mercredi 1er février 2023 (à 19h) a porté sur l’éthique en copropriété. L’éthique se définit comme étant l’ensemble des principes moraux qui déterminent la conduite appropriée d'une personne. L’administrateur d’une copropriété est appelé à jouer un rôle primordial dans la saine administration de la copropriété, ainsi que la préservation du patrimoine des copropriétaires. Pour renforcer et maintenir le lien de confiance avec eux, tout administrateur se doit d’être impartial, honnête et loyal à l’égard du syndicat et des copropriétaires. Il est également tenu au respect de l’éthique et des règles déontologiques prévues au Code civil du Québec et dans la déclaration de copropriété. Or quelles sont ces règles et les conséquences pour ceux qui bafouent les règles associées à l’éthique?

The juridical personality of the syndicate is distinct from the one of the co-owners and directors. His acts are binding only on himself, besides for the exceptions provided by law. The faults committed by the syndicate have consequences only on its own civil liability and not on the directors. Under these conditions, they are held harmless by the syndicate and assume no responsibility for any costs, expenses, charges or losses they have incurred for the administration of the building and the syndicate. This is the basic principle, but it is important to bring several nuances to it. Indeed, a director must never lose sight of the interest of the community of co-owners.

Être administrateur de copropriété n'est certes pas toujours facile. Cette charge est lourde de responsabilités et comporte des hauts et des bas. Mais l'important, c'est qu'à la fin de son mandat, tout administrateur ait le sentiment du devoir accompli.

The presence of a Board of Directors is mandatory in a co-ownership. It is the executive body of the syndicate and its legal representative. Its members act as the mandataries of the syndicate. When a co-ownership is newly constituted, the declaration of co-ownership generally provides for the appointment of a interim director, who exercises the functions of the Board of Directors until the Meeting of co-owners appoints a new board of directors. This transitional period is generally delicate because of the necessarily numerous and complex problems relating to defects in workmanship, latent defects and construction defects. And this is not to mention that the transitional administrator set up by the developer may have a negative role: protect the developer and transfer to the co-ownership of charges incumbent in principle on the developer.  Its appointment Usually, it is the developer who designates him, in accordance with a provision in the declaration of co-ownership (By-laws of the Immovable). Often he appoints one of his  representatives to act as the interim director of the syndicate.

Most co-ownership directors assume this activity free of charge, effectively excluding the collection of any amount of money. But, contrary to popular belief, they can be paid. Usually, the remuneration granted to a director is mainly symbolic and is not similar to a remuneration similar to that paid to a condominium manager. Their remuneration takes various forms: salary, honorariums and attendance fees, just to name a few. This financial compensation, a part of the administrative expenses of the co-ownership, may also include the reimbursement of some expenses incurred by a director.

The director of a co-ownership is called to play a key role in the sound management of the co-ownership and preservation of the patrimony of the co-owners. To strengthen and maintain the relationship of trust with them, every director must be fair, honest and loyal toward the Syndicate and the co-wners. The director must also respect ethical standards and the Code of conductstipulated by the Civil Code of Quebec and the declaration of co-ownership. In case of doubt, directors must act according to the spirit of those principles and rules. They must also arrange their personal affairs in such a manner that they cannot interfere with the performance of their duties.