“Deficit” can be a dirty word in the condo industry, and one particularly hard to contemplate without a strong morning coffee. While condominium boards and managers strive to provide accurate estimates of annual expenses and long-term capital expenses, changing circumstances (including those outside of a condominium’s control) can, and do, lead to deficits in operating and reserve accounts. Deficits can arise through a myriad of situations, despite best efforts; unexpected repairs, increases in construction costs, unanticipated legal litigation, tumultuous tariffs, and even the change in the price of de-icing salt from winter-to-winter can have a negative impact on a budget. Dealing with budget deficits can be daunting. Communicating with owners, raising the capital, and balancing options such as special assessments or loans is no easy task. We have gathered experts from across CCI-Grand River Chapter, including a property manager, auditor, and board director, to discuss the challenges and potential solutions to dealing with condominium deficits.
No one knows their own condo better than the people who live there, the managers that manage them, and the directors that balance the options and make the decisions. This session offers an opportunity for all CCI-GRC members to submit their questions and scenarios to our expert panel, who can provide potential solutions and guidance. In Black Coffee and Dirty Deficits the panel will be taking member questions, and delving into the issues over a strong, caffeinated beverage.
Register for your chance to win!
Everyone who attends the event will be entered into a prize draw valued at $50.
You must be in attendance to win.
Date: November 6th, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Live Stream via Zoom
Pricing:
$20 member
$40 non-member
Meet Your Host
Chris Mendes, B.A. (Hons.), M.A., J.D., LCCI
Christopher is a partner in SV Law’s Condominium Practice Group. Christopher assists condominium boards and property managers across southern Ontario. Christopher’s practice involves providing legal opinions, governing document reviews and revisions (including declaration amendments, by-law drafting and rule revisions), contract negotiations, chairing owners’ meetings and requisition meetings, all aspects of condominium enforcement and representing condominiums in mandatory mediations and before the Condominium Authority Tribunal.
Christopher is actively involved in the wider condominium community, regularly speaking and writing on various topics which impact the industry. Christopher is a director on CCI-Grand River Chapter’s Board of Directors and sits on CCI-GRC’s education committee, and CCI-Ontario’s Legislative Committee. Christopher also holds CCI’s Leader of the Canadian Condominium Institute (LCCI) designation.
Christopher received his honours bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Waterloo, his master’s degree in political studies from Queen’s University, and his law degree from the University of Ottawa.
In his spare time Christopher enjoys gardening, DIY home repairs, the Blue Jays, and watching Formula One racing with his three boys.
Meet Your Speakers
Michelle Weigel, B.A. OLCMP, RCM
Lauren Sorbara, LCCI
Lauren is the Senior Manager of the Condo Niche at RLB LLP. With over a decade and a half of experience specializing in the condominium audit niche, she is dedicated to providing a knowledgeable and superior client experience. With more and more people in our community choosing to live in condominiums it is important owners are educated on the nuances and unique nature of this lifestyle choice. Lauren is a member of the CCI- Grand River Chapter and is currently serving on the CCI-GRC Board of Directors as Treasurer, as well as several committees at both the local and National level.
