Articles 2023

An overview of the ways in which environmental, social and governance standards positively affect owners, builders, end-users, and society as a whole.

Ontario is now a little over four years into the new prompt payment requirements under the Construction Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.30. While there have been many articles on the written requirements set out in the new Part I.1 of the Act, not much is set in stone as far as the implementation and enforcement of these new provisions. More particularly, some members of the construction industry are finding it hard to understand and follow the requirements pertaining to Notices of Non-Payment.

Once lien rights are extinguished, they are extinguished forever. After a lien is first registered on title, does a withdrawal of the Claim for Lien instrument forever extinguish those lien rights? In Gay Company Limited v. 962332 Ontario Inc., 2023 ONSC 6023, survival of the claimant’s lien rights turned on this question.

This article is an update for health lawyers on the recent Divisional Court case in Yarco Developments Inc. v. Home Construction Regulatory Authority (Registrar) 2024 ONSC 93. It may seem odd to you at first glance that an article about a home construction case is being included in the OBA Health Law Newsletter. But trust us, it is directly relevant to the practice of health law, particularly on professional regulation and registration matters.

On November 10, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its much-anticipated decision in the matter of R. v. Greater Sudbury (City). The decision is noteworthy in its expanding, in a significant way, the health and safety obligations of an “owner” of a construction project under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O., 1990, c. O.1.

A recent decision of the Federal Court reexamined the role of federal Protection Statements under the Species at Risk Act, S.C. 2002, c 29 in protecting the habitats of migratory birds in Canada and provided guidance on the proper scope of migratory bird habitats to be protected.

On April 8, 2024, the Alberta Court of Appeal released its decision in the appeal of Qualex-Landmark Towers Inc v 12-10 Capital Corp. The Court of Appeal’s decision clarifies that the super priority of environmental remedial obligations recognized in Orphan Well Association v Grant Thornton Ltd, does not apply to private litigants, alleviating significant uncertainty for secured lenders.

On April 10, 2024, the Ontario government (the “Province”) introduced Bill 185: Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024 (“Bill 185”), which simultaneously reintroduces and repeals prior changes to the planning and development regime in Ontario. This article provides a brief overview of these proposed legislative changes as it relates to planning and development.

The Supreme Court of Canada recently released its anticipated decision in Yatar v. TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, providing its latest substantial commentary on judicial review in Canada. In the face of recent pronouncements about the importance of upholding judicial economy and avoiding multiplicities of proceedings, the Court endorsed the opportunity for parties to proceed with parallel statutory rights of appeal and judicial review.

On October 17, 2023, Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (“MECP”) posted proposed regulatory amendments to Ontario Regulation 406/19 - On-Site and Excess Soil Management (“O. Reg. 406/19”) and the Rules for Soil Management and Excess Soil Quality Standards (“Soil Rules”) on the Environmental Registry of Ontario.