Articles 2023

Aujourdʼhui
Aujourdʼhui

Energy Regulatory Update (Q2, 2023)

  • 23 janvier 2024
  • Mark Rubenstein, Shepherd Rubenstein

Summer has arrived and so has the latest edition of the Shepherd Rubenstein Energy Regulatory Update, a quarterly round-up of the key developments in the Ontario energy sector. We scoured the regulatory landscape to provide you with a summary of all the important happenings between April and June (and the first few days of July) so you can stay in the know.

Richesses naturelles et énergie, Student Forum

Provincial Government Telling Developers to “Use It or Lose It” in Respect of Certain Ministerial Zoning Orders, and Consulting on New MZO Approvals Process

  • 23 janvier 2024
  • Kailey Sutton and Patrick Pinho

On December 13, 2023, the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced that it would be taking a critical eye to a number of existing ministerial zoning orders made pursuant to the Planning Act, and proposing revocations and amendments in support of a new “use it or lose it” approach to such orders. It will also be consulting with stakeholders on a new “go-forward framework” in respect of Ministerial Zoning Order requests and approvals.

Droit municipal, Student Forum

LSO Virtual Authentication Requirements

  • 19 janvier 2024
  • Mathew Seeburger

Effective January 1, 2024, the Law Society’s temporary emergency measure allowing licensees to virtually verify client identity without authentication ended. Licensees must now authenticate an individual’s government-issued ID, meaning the licensee must use a process or method to determine if the ID is true and genuine and cannot do so virtually. Bylaw 7.1 (made under the Law Society Act) allows two methods of verification virtually: the credit file method and the dual process method.

Droit immobilier, Student Forum

To Be or Not to be: Franchisee or Licensee?

  • 17 janvier 2024
  • Ashley Caldwell, lawyer, McKenzie Lake Lawyers

This article summarizes the outcome of plaintiff's and defendant's motions in the ongoing Ontario Superior Court of Justice case titled Tripsetter Inc. v 2161907 Alberta Ltd. 2023 ONSC. A central issue in this case is the question of whether Tripsetter was a franchisee of the defendant, and able to avail itself of remedies provided by the Arthur Wishart Act (Franchise Disclosure), 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 3, or was merely a licensee.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

The Duty of Mitigation in Franchise Disputes

  • 17 janvier 2024
  • Idan Erez, partner, Hoffer Adler LLP

This article examines how the mitigation doctrine applies in franchise disputes. After identifying the rationales for mitigation, consideration is given to the circumstances under which franchisees and franchisors have a duty to mitigate, and circumstances where they do not. Both franchisees and franchisors should mitigate damages resulting from a breach of the franchise agreement; however, franchisees are not under a duty to mitigate their damages after rescission of the franchise agreement.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

Top Five Privacy Developments in Canada: A Year in Review 2023

  • 16 janvier 2024
  • Roland Hung, Torkin Manes LLP

As another year has come to an end and we have already embarked on a new year, we take this opportunity to reflect on a number of significant changes to Canadian privacy law. From promising developments to proposed legislation to a groundbreaking investigation, there is much to review as we head into 2024. This article reviews the top five recent developments we encountered this year.

Droit de la protection de la vie privée, Student Forum
head-shot of author Sahil Shoor

Ontario OH&S Update – Supreme Court upholds ONCA decision in R v. Greater Sudbury (City)

  • 15 janvier 2024
  • Sahil Shoor, partner, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP

On November 10, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a split decision in R v. Greater Sudbury (City). This precedent-setting decision significantly expands the health and safety obligations of an “Owner” under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Droit de la construction et infrastructure, Student Forum
head-shot photos of authors Jay Nathwani and John Margie

Prompt Payment Gaps in the Construction Act

  • 15 janvier 2024
  • Jay Nathwani, partner, Margie Strub Construction Law, and John Margie, partner, Margie Strub Construction Law

Ontario’s prompt payment system under the Construction Act has changed the way that parties to construction projects understand their payment obligations. But there are several significant gaps in the prompt payment scheme that produce significant uncertainty and risk for contractors. In this article, we discuss three such gaps.

Droit de la construction et infrastructure, Student Forum
head-shot photo of author Paul Ivanoff

Adjudication: Ontario Decision a Reminder that “Rough Justice” is Not Real Justice

  • 15 janvier 2024
  • Paul Ivanoff, partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

With the introduction of prompt payment and adjudication into Ontario’s Construction Act, the pursuit of “rough justice” became a new tool in the tool-kit of project participants. In spite of its procedural and other frailties, adjudication arrived along with a legislated provision that “the determination and reasons of an adjudicator are admissible as evidence in a court.” The addition of this “admissibility” provision raises interesting questions.

Droit de la construction et infrastructure, Student Forum