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Jun 20, 2008

Toronto Lobbyist Rules A New Way of Doing Business

The City of Toronto’s computer leasing scandal unfolded nearly a decade ago, but its impact continues to be felt today as the City puts procedures in place to minimize the chances of such a scandal recurring.

Municipalities Could Face Reduced Business Property Assessments

It took testimony from nine experts, weeks of hearings, and a review of hundreds of exhibits to interpret a statute and determine how income producing properties should be assessed for municipal taxation in Ontario.

Major Shift in Law Relating to Bidding and Tendering

A simple clause in an RFP document excluding liability has the potential to alter the business tendering landscape.

Jun 9, 2008

Less Onerous Employee Dismissal Process for Municipalities

The Supreme Court of Canada makes it clear that a fairness hearing is not needed prior to dismissing the holder of a public office.

Jun 2, 2008

Public Peephole into Municipal Affairs is Widening

The Ontario Court of Appeal has expanded public access to information to include the business activities of a municipally-owned corporation.

Drug testing standoff

Both Alberta and Ontario have released leading cases on drug testing but each has reached a different conclusion.

The changing face of Human Rights complaints

The new Human Rights regime will impact both employers and unions in dealing with the system.

A vote of sanity in employee claims of bad faith

A recent unanimous Ontario Court of Appeal decision puts limits on what qualifies as “bad faith” in the manner of termination.

May 30, 2008

Business property tax assessments: This time it’s technical

It took testimony from nine experts, weeks of hearings, and a review of hundreds of exhibits to interpret a statute and determine how business property should be assessed for municipal taxes. For the owners of six office tower complexes in downtown Toronto, it was well worth the effort.

Tenant bankruptcy and beyond – Spring 2008

“Bankruptcy” is commonly used to describe a number of legal situations involving a tenant’s financial distress. But with the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants determined by the true course of action taken, it pays for both sides to get the facts.

May 1, 2008

Directors BEWARE – Potential Environmental Liability

When it comes to industrial clean-ups, the Ministry of the Environment is looking for help and personal liability can lurk in the murky ponds and work sites of the companies you serve.

Capital Pool Companies

For private companies looking to take their company public, a Capital Pool Company (CPC) provides an excellent alternative to the traditional IPO.

Apr 1, 2008

Commercial Leases Quiz

How much do you know about commercial real estate leases?

Feb 1, 2008

The Manual Review Requirement

Manual review and the Air Canada vs. Westjet Airlines case.

Infrastructure Quiz

How much do you know about planes, trains, and automobiles or more specifically, the public infrastructure that supports them?

Jan 1, 2008

Putting new municipal accountability measures into action

Major amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001 took effect on January 1, 2007. One of the key changes was the introduction of accountability provisions that give municipalities the power to create new positions to help ensure that good governance is maintained by local council and boards.

Duty to consult with First Nations: A municipal obligation?

The Canadian federal government and all provincial governments have a duty to consult with the First Nations before taking any steps that may infringe on aboriginal or treaty rights which are claimed or have been established. The case law on this point is clear. What isn’t so clear is whether the duty to consult with the First Nations applies to municipalities when making land-use or other decisions that may impact these rights.

Make it a functional Family Day

The simple addition of one public holiday may be anything but simple for some employers.

Employment settlements that stick

A few careful steps can help ensure the employment termination settlements you provide are beyond any future legal challenge.

Nov 1, 2007

A New Era in Provincial Enforcement

Goodbye regulatory silos. Inspectors from different ministries can now share their observations and findings about your organization with each other.

Oct 1, 2007

Get the lead out

For years now, lower production costs in developing countries have been a competitive advantage for many businesses. But as recent product recalls have shown, it’s a strategy that requires significant attention to the potential risks involved…

Sep 1, 2007

Dealing With Construction Liens

Jackhammers, nail guns, power sawsahthe sounds of fall in the city. Recent reports estimate that residential real estate values will increase by 9.5 % this year, and that the average home price in Canada will top $300,000 for the first time. And we already know the state of affairs in commercial construction (especially in Calgary and Vancouver). But did you know that one of the natural consequences of construction isyou guessed it!….the construction lien?

Aug 1, 2007

Is Your Business Licensing By-Law About to Die?

You should be aware that the by-laws of your municipality licensing and regulating various businesses may be about to expire.

Jun 30, 2007

Proposed New Legislation Affects Owners of Rental Buildings in the City of Toronto

Owners of property containing rental housing units in the City of Toronto should take immediate note of a by-law that has been proposed by the City of Toronto. If passed, it will significantly limit a property owner’s ability to demolish, alter, or convert buildings containing six or more rental units.

Jun 1, 2007

Power to delegate far reaching for Ontario municipalities

A new era for municipal governments in Ontario was ushered in on January 1, 2007 with the proclamation of Bill 130’s major amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001.

Changes to construction plans? Building permits can be revoked

In a recent WeirFoulds win, the Ontario Superior Court confirmed that a chief building official can revoke a building permit if the facts on the ground change after the permit is issued, even if the changes don’t affect what’s built at the end of the day.

Municipal actions. Court reactions.

With the actions of municipalities having such a direct and wide-ranging impact on the communities they serve, conflicts inevitably occur and court cases result. Here are a few recent cases you may find of interest.

Clean drinking water: Provincial protection with a municipal impact

Ontario residents will soon benefit from greater protections for their drinking water, but these protections will come with both responsibilities and changes for municipalities.

Apr 2, 2007

Changes to Ontario’s CVOR System – Effective April 2, 2007

If you hold a CVOR, you need to be aware of important changes to the CVOR system which came into effect on April 2, 2007.

Mar 1, 2007

The rising risks of the e-document evolution

With electronic files now dominating workplace documentation and communication, significant litigation risks have emerged relating to the production of e-documents when a dispute arises. The good news? A proper document management plan can reduce these potential risks substantially.

Sep 1, 2006

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Less Onerous Employee Dismissal Process for Municipalities

Public Peephole into Municipal Affairs is Widening

The changing face of Human Rights complaints

A vote of sanity in employee claims of bad faith

Commercial Leases Quiz

The Manual Review Requirement

Make it a functional Family Day

Employment settlements that stick

A New Era in Provincial Enforcement

Is Your Business Licensing By-Law About to Die?

Proposed New Legislation Affects Owners of Rental Buildings in the City of Toronto

Power to delegate far reaching for Ontario municipalities

Changes to construction plans? Building permits can be revoked

Municipal actions. Court reactions.

Clean drinking water: Provincial protection with a municipal impact

Changes to Ontario’s CVOR System – Effective April 2, 2007

Planning to shape your municipal future

Flexing that municipal muscle

New Teeth for Ontario Heritage Act

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Search

Practice Area

Directory

Role

Publications

Toronto Lobbyist Rules A New Way of Doing Business

Municipalities Could Face Reduced Business Property Assessments

Major Shift in Law Relating to Bidding and Tendering

Less Onerous Employee Dismissal Process for Municipalities

Public Peephole into Municipal Affairs is Widening

Drug testing standoff

The changing face of Human Rights complaints

A vote of sanity in employee claims of bad faith

Commercial Real Estate Quiz

Business property tax assessments: This time it’s technical

Tenant bankruptcy and beyond – Spring 2008

Directors BEWARE – Potential Environmental Liability

Capital Pool Companies

Commercial Leases Quiz

The Manual Review Requirement

Infrastructure Quiz

Putting new municipal accountability measures into action

Duty to consult with First Nations: A municipal obligation?

Make it a functional Family Day

Employment settlements that stick

Conflicting court decisions on OMB appeals

A New Era in Provincial Enforcement

Get the lead out

Dealing With Construction Liens

Is Your Business Licensing By-Law About to Die?

Proposed New Legislation Affects Owners of Rental Buildings in the City of Toronto

Power to delegate far reaching for Ontario municipalities

Changes to construction plans? Building permits can be revoked

Municipal actions. Court reactions.

Clean drinking water: Provincial protection with a municipal impact

Changes to Ontario’s CVOR System – Effective April 2, 2007

The rising risks of the e-document evolution

Planning to shape your municipal future

Flexing that municipal muscle

New Teeth for Ontario Heritage Act

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