Christopher Tzekas specializes in administrative law, with an emphasis on municipal and expropriation law, land use planning and development.
He represents provincial ministries, municipalities, and a wide range of private clients. He appears regularly before administrative tribunals, Councils and committees. He has appeared at every level of court, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Chris has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada as Toronto “Lawyer of the Year” in Expropriation Law for 2023. He was also given this same recognition in 2018 and 2021.
Chris has authored many papers and is a frequent speaker on expropriation, land use planning and development issues.
The following are examples of the reported cases in which Chris has appeared as counsel or co-counsel.
Expropriation
Hamilton (City) v. Lax (1992), 47 L.C.R. 84 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.));
Funshine Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 52 (O.M.B.), (1986), 18 O.M.B.R. 451, (1987), 38 L.C.R. 26 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1988), 61 O.R. (2d) 712 (1988), 25 O.A.C. 282 (C.A.);
Eat N Putt Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1987), 37 L.C.R. 85 (O.M.B.);
377358 Ontario Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 77 (O.M.B.);
Re Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority and Thomson Lumber and Building Materials (1984), 47 O.R. (2d) 668 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal denied];
Chappell et al. v. Ministry of Government Services (1984), 28 L.C.R. 182 (O.M.B.), 12 O.A.C. 297 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1986), 34 L.C.R. 207 (C.A.); [settled, pending application for leave to appeal to the SCC];
Canada Trust Co. v. City of London (1982), 24 L.C.R. 247 (L.C.B.), (1983), 27 L.C.R. 97 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal granted; appeal settled];
Administrative & Municipal
Enns re: Carling (Township) (2015), 82 O.M.B.R. I (O.M.B.);
St. Mary’s Cement Inc. (Canada) v. Ontario (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing) (2013) 2 M.P.L.R. (5th) 46 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
James Dick Construction v. Caledon (Town) (2011), 66 O.M.B.R. 263 (OMB);
Ontario Private Campground Assn. v. Georgian Bay (Township) (2000), 12 M.P.L.R. 281 (Ont. S.C.J.);
Toronto v. McIlroy (1998), 48 M.P.L.R. (2d) 146 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.));
Doucette v. City of Waterloo, et al. (1997), 32 O.R. (3d) 502 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1997), 40 M.P.L.R. (2d) 1 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Friends of McNichol Park v. Corp. of the City of Burlington, et al. (1996), 33 M.P.L.R. (2d) 198 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1996), 31 O.R. (3d) 405 (Div. Ct.);
NSP Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Joint Board) (1990), 72 O.R. (2d) 379, 43 L.C.R. 81, 4 C.E.L.R. (N.S.) 279 (Div. Ct.);
McLear v. Mason (1989), 65 O.R. (2d) 228, 39 M.P.L.R. 111 (H.C.J.);
Re DiCenzo Construction Co. Ltd. and Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 19, et al. (1988), 63 O.R. (2d) 351, 37 M.P.L.R. 298 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Re Wentworth Condominium Corp. No. 46 et al. and Regional Assessment Officer, Region No. 19 (1986), 54 O.R. (2d) 642 (H.C.J.), (1987), 33 M.P.L.R. 75 (H.C.J.);
Re Proposed Transmission Plan of Ontario Hydro for Southwestern Ontario (1987), 1 C.E.L.R. (J.B.) 261;
Westlake v. Corporation of the Town of Caledon (1986), 12 O.A.C. 178 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Central Ontario Coalition Concerning Hydro Transmission Systems, et al. v. Ontario Hydro, et al. (1984), 46 O.R. (2d) 715, 10 D.L.R. (4th) 341, 16 O.M.B.R. 172, 27 M.P.L.R. 165 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Re Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 18, et al. and Hudson’s Bay Company (1983), 42 O.R. (2d) 436 (C.A.);
Other Areas of Law
Hill v. Church of Scientology of Toronto, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 1130; 24 O.R. (3d) 866 (S.C.C.);
Botiuk v. Toronto Free Press Publications Ltd. et al. (1986), 56 O.R. (2d) 184 (Master); [1995] 3 S.C.R. 3, 126 D.L.R. (4th) 609 (S.C.C.);
The following are examples of the reported cases in which Chris has appeared as counsel or co-counsel.
Expropriation
Hamilton (City) v. Lax (1992), 47 L.C.R. 84 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.));
Funshine Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 52 (O.M.B.), (1986), 18 O.M.B.R. 451, (1987), 38 L.C.R. 26 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1988), 61 O.R. (2d) 712 (1988), 25 O.A.C. 282 (C.A.);
Eat N Putt Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1987), 37 L.C.R. 85 (O.M.B.);
377358 Ontario Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 77 (O.M.B.);
Re Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority and Thomson Lumber and Building Materials (1984), 47 O.R. (2d) 668 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal denied];
Chappell et al. v. Ministry of Government Services (1984), 28 L.C.R. 182 (O.M.B.), 12 O.A.C. 297 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1986), 34 L.C.R. 207 (C.A.); [settled, pending application for leave to appeal to the SCC];
Canada Trust Co. v. City of London (1982), 24 L.C.R. 247 (L.C.B.), (1983), 27 L.C.R. 97 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal granted; appeal settled];
Administrative & Municipal
Enns re: Carling (Township) (2015), 82 O.M.B.R. I (O.M.B.);
St. Mary’s Cement Inc. (Canada) v. Ontario (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing) (2013) 2 M.P.L.R. (5th) 46 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
James Dick Construction v. Caledon (Town) (2011), 66 O.M.B.R. 263 (OMB);
Ontario Private Campground Assn. v. Georgian Bay (Township) (2000), 12 M.P.L.R. 281 (Ont. S.C.J.);
Toronto v. McIlroy (1998), 48 M.P.L.R. (2d) 146 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.));
Doucette v. City of Waterloo, et al. (1997), 32 O.R. (3d) 502 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1997), 40 M.P.L.R. (2d) 1 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Friends of McNichol Park v. Corp. of the City of Burlington, et al. (1996), 33 M.P.L.R. (2d) 198 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1996), 31 O.R. (3d) 405 (Div. Ct.);
NSP Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Joint Board) (1990), 72 O.R. (2d) 379, 43 L.C.R. 81, 4 C.E.L.R. (N.S.) 279 (Div. Ct.);
McLear v. Mason (1989), 65 O.R. (2d) 228, 39 M.P.L.R. 111 (H.C.J.);
Re DiCenzo Construction Co. Ltd. and Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 19, et al. (1988), 63 O.R. (2d) 351, 37 M.P.L.R. 298 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Re Wentworth Condominium Corp. No. 46 et al. and Regional Assessment Officer, Region No. 19 (1986), 54 O.R. (2d) 642 (H.C.J.), (1987), 33 M.P.L.R. 75 (H.C.J.);
Re Proposed Transmission Plan of Ontario Hydro for Southwestern Ontario (1987), 1 C.E.L.R. (J.B.) 261;
Westlake v. Corporation of the Town of Caledon (1986), 12 O.A.C. 178 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Central Ontario Coalition Concerning Hydro Transmission Systems, et al. v. Ontario Hydro, et al. (1984), 46 O.R. (2d) 715, 10 D.L.R. (4th) 341, 16 O.M.B.R. 172, 27 M.P.L.R. 165 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Re Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 18, et al. and Hudson’s Bay Company (1983), 42 O.R. (2d) 436 (C.A.);
Other Areas of Law
Hill v. Church of Scientology of Toronto, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 1130; 24 O.R. (3d) 866 (S.C.C.);
Botiuk v. Toronto Free Press Publications Ltd. et al. (1986), 56 O.R. (2d) 184 (Master); [1995] 3 S.C.R. 3, 126 D.L.R. (4th) 609 (S.C.C.);
Counsel: Hellenic Home for the Aged, Inc.
Christopher Tzekas specializes in administrative law, with an emphasis on municipal and expropriation law, land use planning and development.
He represents provincial ministries, municipalities, and a wide range of private clients. He appears regularly before administrative tribunals, Councils and committees. He has appeared at every level of court, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Chris has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada as Toronto “Lawyer of the Year” in Expropriation Law for 2023. He was also given this same recognition in 2018 and 2021.
Chris has authored many papers and is a frequent speaker on expropriation, land use planning and development issues.
The following are examples of the reported cases in which Chris has appeared as counsel or co-counsel.
Expropriation
Hamilton (City) v. Lax (1992), 47 L.C.R. 84 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.));
Funshine Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 52 (O.M.B.), (1986), 18 O.M.B.R. 451, (1987), 38 L.C.R. 26 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1988), 61 O.R. (2d) 712 (1988), 25 O.A.C. 282 (C.A.);
Eat N Putt Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1987), 37 L.C.R. 85 (O.M.B.);
377358 Ontario Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 77 (O.M.B.);
Re Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority and Thomson Lumber and Building Materials (1984), 47 O.R. (2d) 668 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal denied];
Chappell et al. v. Ministry of Government Services (1984), 28 L.C.R. 182 (O.M.B.), 12 O.A.C. 297 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1986), 34 L.C.R. 207 (C.A.); [settled, pending application for leave to appeal to the SCC];
Canada Trust Co. v. City of London (1982), 24 L.C.R. 247 (L.C.B.), (1983), 27 L.C.R. 97 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal granted; appeal settled];
Administrative & Municipal
Enns re: Carling (Township) (2015), 82 O.M.B.R. I (O.M.B.);
St. Mary’s Cement Inc. (Canada) v. Ontario (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing) (2013) 2 M.P.L.R. (5th) 46 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
James Dick Construction v. Caledon (Town) (2011), 66 O.M.B.R. 263 (OMB);
Ontario Private Campground Assn. v. Georgian Bay (Township) (2000), 12 M.P.L.R. 281 (Ont. S.C.J.);
Toronto v. McIlroy (1998), 48 M.P.L.R. (2d) 146 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.));
Doucette v. City of Waterloo, et al. (1997), 32 O.R. (3d) 502 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1997), 40 M.P.L.R. (2d) 1 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Friends of McNichol Park v. Corp. of the City of Burlington, et al. (1996), 33 M.P.L.R. (2d) 198 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1996), 31 O.R. (3d) 405 (Div. Ct.);
NSP Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Joint Board) (1990), 72 O.R. (2d) 379, 43 L.C.R. 81, 4 C.E.L.R. (N.S.) 279 (Div. Ct.);
McLear v. Mason (1989), 65 O.R. (2d) 228, 39 M.P.L.R. 111 (H.C.J.);
Re DiCenzo Construction Co. Ltd. and Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 19, et al. (1988), 63 O.R. (2d) 351, 37 M.P.L.R. 298 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Re Wentworth Condominium Corp. No. 46 et al. and Regional Assessment Officer, Region No. 19 (1986), 54 O.R. (2d) 642 (H.C.J.), (1987), 33 M.P.L.R. 75 (H.C.J.);
Re Proposed Transmission Plan of Ontario Hydro for Southwestern Ontario (1987), 1 C.E.L.R. (J.B.) 261;
Westlake v. Corporation of the Town of Caledon (1986), 12 O.A.C. 178 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Central Ontario Coalition Concerning Hydro Transmission Systems, et al. v. Ontario Hydro, et al. (1984), 46 O.R. (2d) 715, 10 D.L.R. (4th) 341, 16 O.M.B.R. 172, 27 M.P.L.R. 165 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Re Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 18, et al. and Hudson’s Bay Company (1983), 42 O.R. (2d) 436 (C.A.);
Other Areas of Law
Hill v. Church of Scientology of Toronto, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 1130; 24 O.R. (3d) 866 (S.C.C.);
Botiuk v. Toronto Free Press Publications Ltd. et al. (1986), 56 O.R. (2d) 184 (Master); [1995] 3 S.C.R. 3, 126 D.L.R. (4th) 609 (S.C.C.);
The following are examples of the reported cases in which Chris has appeared as counsel or co-counsel.
Expropriation
Hamilton (City) v. Lax (1992), 47 L.C.R. 84 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.));
Funshine Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 52 (O.M.B.), (1986), 18 O.M.B.R. 451, (1987), 38 L.C.R. 26 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1988), 61 O.R. (2d) 712 (1988), 25 O.A.C. 282 (C.A.);
Eat N Putt Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1987), 37 L.C.R. 85 (O.M.B.);
377358 Ontario Ltd. v. Ontario (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (1986), 35 L.C.R. 77 (O.M.B.);
Re Toronto Area Transit Operating Authority and Thomson Lumber and Building Materials (1984), 47 O.R. (2d) 668 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal denied];
Chappell et al. v. Ministry of Government Services (1984), 28 L.C.R. 182 (O.M.B.), 12 O.A.C. 297 (Ont. Div. Ct.), (1986), 34 L.C.R. 207 (C.A.); [settled, pending application for leave to appeal to the SCC];
Canada Trust Co. v. City of London (1982), 24 L.C.R. 247 (L.C.B.), (1983), 27 L.C.R. 97 (Ont. Div. Ct.); [leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal granted; appeal settled];
Administrative & Municipal
Enns re: Carling (Township) (2015), 82 O.M.B.R. I (O.M.B.);
St. Mary’s Cement Inc. (Canada) v. Ontario (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing) (2013) 2 M.P.L.R. (5th) 46 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
James Dick Construction v. Caledon (Town) (2011), 66 O.M.B.R. 263 (OMB);
Ontario Private Campground Assn. v. Georgian Bay (Township) (2000), 12 M.P.L.R. 281 (Ont. S.C.J.);
Toronto v. McIlroy (1998), 48 M.P.L.R. (2d) 146 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.));
Doucette v. City of Waterloo, et al. (1997), 32 O.R. (3d) 502 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1997), 40 M.P.L.R. (2d) 1 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Friends of McNichol Park v. Corp. of the City of Burlington, et al. (1996), 33 M.P.L.R. (2d) 198 (Ont. Ct. (Gen. Div.)); (1996), 31 O.R. (3d) 405 (Div. Ct.);
NSP Investments Ltd. v. Ontario (Joint Board) (1990), 72 O.R. (2d) 379, 43 L.C.R. 81, 4 C.E.L.R. (N.S.) 279 (Div. Ct.);
McLear v. Mason (1989), 65 O.R. (2d) 228, 39 M.P.L.R. 111 (H.C.J.);
Re DiCenzo Construction Co. Ltd. and Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 19, et al. (1988), 63 O.R. (2d) 351, 37 M.P.L.R. 298 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Re Wentworth Condominium Corp. No. 46 et al. and Regional Assessment Officer, Region No. 19 (1986), 54 O.R. (2d) 642 (H.C.J.), (1987), 33 M.P.L.R. 75 (H.C.J.);
Re Proposed Transmission Plan of Ontario Hydro for Southwestern Ontario (1987), 1 C.E.L.R. (J.B.) 261;
Westlake v. Corporation of the Town of Caledon (1986), 12 O.A.C. 178 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Central Ontario Coalition Concerning Hydro Transmission Systems, et al. v. Ontario Hydro, et al. (1984), 46 O.R. (2d) 715, 10 D.L.R. (4th) 341, 16 O.M.B.R. 172, 27 M.P.L.R. 165 (Ont. Div. Ct.);
Re Regional Assessment Commissioner, Region No. 18, et al. and Hudson’s Bay Company (1983), 42 O.R. (2d) 436 (C.A.);
Other Areas of Law
Hill v. Church of Scientology of Toronto, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 1130; 24 O.R. (3d) 866 (S.C.C.);
Botiuk v. Toronto Free Press Publications Ltd. et al. (1986), 56 O.R. (2d) 184 (Master); [1995] 3 S.C.R. 3, 126 D.L.R. (4th) 609 (S.C.C.);
Counsel: Hellenic Home for the Aged, Inc.
Partner Heather Douglas and Counsel Brad McLellan will be attending MFOA’s 2023 Annual Conference & Trade Show from Tuesday, September 19th – Friday, September 22nd.