Vacant Unit Tax: Offsetting the Demand for Housing in Ottawa
The City of Ottawa’s Finance and Economic Development committee has approved a new vacant unit tax. The new tax is set to apply in 2022 and form part of final tax bills as of June 2023. How does it work? The tax is set to apply to residential buildings with up to six (6) units. […]
Is Ignorance Bliss? Defences to OHSA Charges: Officially Induced Error
As discussed in our previous blog posts, here and here, breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) come with potentially significant consequences for both companies and individuals. Additionally, as discussed here, the substantive defences for OHSA breaches are very limited. It is a common assumption that the only substantive defence available to established […]
Priorities Under the Construction Act
Ontario’s Construction Act is intended to provide security to contractors and subcontractors in the event that they are not paid for their work on a construction project. A construction lien grants security in the form of a registered charge against the property that is the subject of the project. However, in the event that the […]
Estate Planning – Why Does My Lawyer Ask For So Much Information?
Meeting with an estate planning lawyer can be a stressful event for any one. Once you’ve scheduled a meeting with a lawyer to draft a Will or multiple Wills, and Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care, you know you are headed to a meeting where someone will ask you what you want to […]
If You Are Injured in a Car Accident in the USA, Can You Sue in Ontario?
With cross border travel restrictions lifted for fully‑vaccinated Canadians, many are traveling in their cars to the United States to shop, for short stays, or for longer trips to avoid the winter months. Each year many Canadians are involved in car accidents while travelling in the States. Bringing a claim for compensation after a car […]
Environmental Issues and Real Estate Transactions with Daniella Sicoli-Zupo
In today’s episode, Environmental Issues and Real Estate Transactions, host Cheryl Gerhardt McLuckie talks to her colleague, Real Estate lawyer Daniella Sicoli-Zupo. They discuss environmental issues arising in the midst of residential and commercial real estate transactions as purchasers conduct their due diligence, environmental due diligence work required by lenders, risk assessments, and the creativity of agreements. Get […]
Commercial Lease Considerations for Cannabis Retail Landlords
If you are considering leasing your property to a cannabis retailer, understanding the law governing cannabis retail, being aware of the terms of the leases you have with other tenants in the same development, and effectively negotiating and drafting the terms of your new commercial lease are imperative pieces to managing risk. This blog sets […]
How Old Does a Child Have to Be to Decide Which Parent to Live With?
Parents often ask at what age can a child decide where they are going to live or how often they see the other parent. Contrary to popular belief, however, there is no magic age at which a child can decide this. This is because, until the age of 18, a child is still under the […]
Commercial Lease Considerations for Cannabis Retail Tenants
If you are in the process of opening a cannabis retail store, understanding the law that governs cannabis retail, conducting thorough due diligence on your proposed location, and engaging in effective negotiation and drafting of the terms of your commercial lease can be imperative to the success of your business. Even with an ideal location, […]