B.C. Supreme Court appoints administrator for Surrey condo tower after strata council feud
Justice Richard Fowler declared a December election invalid and stepped in to manage the 180-unit D'Corize building in Whalley after rival councils battled for control.
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A B.C. Supreme Court justice has appointed an administrator to manage a 21-storey Surrey condominium tower after two rival strata councils became locked in conflict that made governance "nearly impossible."
Justice Richard Fowler ruled Wednesday that a December 23, 2025 special general meeting at the D'Corize building, located at 13399 104 Avenue in Whalley, was invalid. The "December Council" voted in at that meeting to replace the "October Council" that was elected at an October 30, 2025 annual general meeting.
"Both Council now ask the court to approve their council and effectively invalidate the other," Fowler noted in his decision. "Governance has become nearly impossible for the past six months."
The dispute escalated to the point where police were called to strata meetings multiple times. The building manages 180 units with an annual operating budget of roughly $800,000 and a sizable reserve fund.
Fowler declared the October Council as the legitimate body since he set aside the December election. However, because the December Council had filed litigation on behalf of the strata, it could no longer speak for the organization once that election was voided.
Faced with an impasse, Fowler appointed an administrator to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the strata corporation under the Strata Property Act, citing circumstances where such intervention is in the best interests of the strata.
