Ontario’s Construction Act establishes a regime of strict rules that governs the relationships between all of the participants in the construction industry, from property owners and lenders to suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors. The Act governs how holdbacks are to be retained or released, work is to be invoiced, payment is to be made, and disputes resolved. By carefully following the rules, parties can benefit from powerful legal tools that protect their interests by securing payment or shielding them from liability. Falling afoul of the rules, however, may risk incurring liability or losing the protections that would otherwise be available.
Comprehensive amendments to the Construction Act have made the rules more challenging to navigate, even for experienced participants in the industry. Fortunately, the Construction Law Group at Mann Lawyers assembles a team of seasoned professionals with expertise in every facet of the construction process. Drawing on various specializations including corporate law, real estate, environmental law, commercial litigation, and arbitration, our team is able to assist in navigating even complex construction questions.