Called to the Bar
  • Ontario (1979)
Education
  • LL.B., University of Toronto, 1977
Affiliations
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Toronto Lawyers Association
  • The Advocates' Society
  • Ontario Expropriations Association (Past President)
  • Hellenic Canadian Lawyers' Association (Past President)

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 in 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.

Experience

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.);

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada as Toronto “Lawyer of the Year” in Expropriation Law (2018, 2021, 2024)
  • Repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada in Expropriation Law and Real Estate Law
  • Repeatedly recognized as a leading Property Development practitioner in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
  • Recognized as a winner in the Property Development – Canada category, Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards, 2020
  • Recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition – Infrastructure, 2015-2016, 2018

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.);

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada as Toronto “Lawyer of the Year” in Expropriation Law (2018, 2021, 2024)
  • Repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada in Expropriation Law and Real Estate Law
  • Repeatedly recognized as a leading Property Development practitioner in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
  • Recognized as a winner in the Property Development – Canada category, Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards, 2020
  • Recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition – Infrastructure, 2015-2016, 2018
Community Involvement

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 in 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.

Experience

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.);

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada as Toronto “Lawyer of the Year” in Expropriation Law (2018, 2021, 2024)
  • Repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada in Expropriation Law and Real Estate Law
  • Repeatedly recognized as a leading Property Development practitioner in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
  • Recognized as a winner in the Property Development – Canada category, Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards, 2020
  • Recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition – Infrastructure, 2015-2016, 2018

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.);

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada as Toronto “Lawyer of the Year” in Expropriation Law (2018, 2021, 2024)
  • Repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada in Expropriation Law and Real Estate Law
  • Repeatedly recognized as a leading Property Development practitioner in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
  • Recognized as a winner in the Property Development – Canada category, Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards, 2020
  • Recognized in the Lexpert Special Edition – Infrastructure, 2015-2016, 2018
Community Involvement

Counsel: Hellenic Home for the Aged, Inc.

Called to the Bar
  • Ontario (1979)
Education
  • LL.B., University of Toronto, 1977
Affiliations
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Toronto Lawyers Association
  • The Advocates' Society
  • Ontario Expropriations Association (Past President)
  • Hellenic Canadian Lawyers' Association (Past President)
Speaking Engagements
  • Speaker, “Acquiring Infrastructure Project Lands by Expropriation”, Current Issues in Municipal Infrastructure Projects, Municipal Infrastructure Forum, Kleinburg, ON, April 15, 2019
  • Speaker, ” ‘A Rose by Any Other Name…’ Understanding the ‘Scheme’ and its Implications on Value”, International Right of Way Association, October 16, 2014
  • Speaker, “The Planning Process: Simplified or Not?”, Association of Municipalities of Ontario Annual Conference, August 19, 2013
  • Speaker, “Assessing the Reasonableness of Costs” Ontario Expropriation Association’s Annual Fall Seminar, October 26, 2012
  • Speaker, “Costs in Expropriation Matters”, Ontario Expropriation Association/Ontario Municipal Board Educational Seminar, January 16, 2012
  • Panelist, “Real Property Law: The A, B, C’s of Expropriation”, The Canadian Bar Association, November 2011
  • Co-Chair, “Provincial/Municipal Government Liability”, The Canadian Institute, Cross-Canada Coverage of the Most Critical Issues for 2009, February 2009
  • “Recent Developments in Expropriation Law”, Ontario Expropriation Association, October 2008
  • “Annual Case Update,” Ontario Expropriation Association, October 2007
  • “Damages in Defamation Cases,” Law Society of Upper Canada, Remedies and Damages: Are You Getting the Most for Your Clients?, March 2007
  • “Annual Case Update,” Ontario Expropriation Association, October 2006
  • “Adjudicating, Decision-Making and Decision-Writing”, The Canadian Institute, Advanced Administrative Law & Practice: Key Updates in Adjudicative & Investigative Areas, October 2005
  • “Recent Cases of Interest,” International Right-of-way Association, November 2004
Latest Insight & News