ACMO Blog

Why Risk Assessments Are Missing in Canadian Condominiums — and Why That Puts Residents in Danger

In December 2022, tragedy struck a condominium community in Vaughan, Ontario, when a resident opened fire and killed five people, including three members of the condo board. The incident was extreme, but it underscored a critical gap in the way many condominium corporations approach safety. Despite managing buildings that house hundreds of residents, most boards still fail to conduct formal security risk assessments.

The absence of systematic planning leaves residents vulnerable to both everyday threats — theft, break-ins, vandalism — and worst-case scenarios involving violence. The question is not whether condos face risks, but why so few are actively preparing for them.

Why boards aren’t acting

Part of the answer lies in perception. Many condominium boards see security as an expense rather than an investment. Monthly budgets often prioritize maintenance and amenities over safety planning. The prevailing attitude is that security is the job of law enforcement, not a private responsibility.

There is also a lack of expertise. Most boards are made up of volunteers elected from the resident community. Few have professional training in threat assessment, access control, or emergency preparedness. Without guidance, boards rely on basic measures such as door locks and surveillance cameras, but rarely ask whether those measures actually address their building’s vulnerabilities.

Finally, there is complacency. Unless a serious incident has occurred, many boards assume their building is “safe enough.” This reactive mindset means that risk assessments are often commissioned only after a crime, lawsuit, or violent dispute.

What a risk assessment provides

A security risk assessment is more than a checklist. It is a structured review of the building’s environment, assets, and exposure to threats. Industry best practices recommend assessments that identify vulnerabilities, evaluate existing safeguards, and propose targeted improvements.

For a condominium, this might include:

Reviewing access control points such as entrances, garages, and elevators
Evaluating surveillance coverage and response procedures
Assessing lighting, landscaping, and blind spots that enable crime
Measuring staff readiness for conflict de-escalation and emergency response
Developing plans for resident communication in a crisis

The outcome is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a tailored strategy that matches the specific risks of a given property.

The real cost of inaction

Without assessments, condominium boards are operating blind. They cannot demonstrate to residents that reasonable steps are in place to protect them, and they may face liability if negligence can be shown after an incident.

Events such as the Vaughan shootings show how conflicts can escalate when grievances go unaddressed. But even less catastrophic events — repeated break-ins, harassment among residents, vandalism — erode community trust and property values. Insurance costs may also rise if risk management is seen as inadequate.

A proactive path forward

The Canadian security industry has stressed that organizations of all sizes need to adopt a new approach: one rooted in risk, resilience, and culture . For condominium corporations, that means shifting from reactive measures to proactive planning.

Wincon Security is one firm urging boards to rethink their approach. Its consultants specialize in assessing residential environments and advising boards on cost-effective improvements. A typical engagement begins with a site visit from a consultant, who evaluates the building’s current safeguards and identifies gaps. The consultant then works with the board to design a security plan that balances resident safety with budget realities.

This process not only addresses immediate risks but also provides a framework for long-term resilience. Residents gain confidence knowing that their board has taken concrete steps to prevent incidents rather than waiting to respond after the fact.

Steps residents should expect

When a condominium board engages a professional security partner, residents should expect to see clear evidence of planning. This can include:

Documented assessments of building vulnerabilities
Updated access control and visitor management policies
Regular reviews of surveillance effectiveness
Clear protocols for staff and contractors
Communication channels for residents to report concerns

These measures signal that the board takes its duty of care seriously. They also provide reassurance to prospective buyers, who increasingly ask about safety as part of due diligence before purchasing units.

Raising the standard

The Vaughan tragedy was a reminder that condominium communities cannot afford to neglect security planning. Violence at that scale is rare, but smaller incidents are common, and every building faces some level of risk. A risk assessment is not a luxury — it is a basic responsibility of governance.

By Winston Stewart

Condominium corporations should not be left to guess what protections are sufficient. By bringing in a qualified consultant, boards gain both expertise and accountability. Wincon Security has built its reputation by guiding boards through this process, from assessment to implementation, and by tailoring solutions to the realities of Canadian residential properties.

Canadian condominiums are more than investments; they are homes. Residents deserve to know that their safety has been evaluated with the same seriousness as their building’s finances. Without risk assessments, boards are gambling with both security and liability.

Engaging a trusted partner like Wincon Security ensures that vulnerabilities are identified, safeguards are strengthened, and residents can live with peace of mind. It is a step every responsible condominium corporation should be taking — before the next crisis forces the issue.

Learn more about Wincon Security and its full suite of condominium security services by visiting www.wincon-security.com.

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