On February 16, 2021, the Ontario government introduced Bill 245, the Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021. The Act is aimed at improving access to justice in Ontario and includes numerous changes to the administration of justice in Ontario, including the proposal to consolidate Ontario’s Land Tribunal. If passed, the Act would merge the Local Planning [...]

The Ministry of Transportation is seeking, through proposed legislative changes, to amend the Building Transit Faster Act, 2020.  Identified as Bill 222: Ontario Rebuilding and Recovery Act, 2020, the newly proposed legislation would, among other things, expand the elimination of hearings of necessity to “any other prescribed provincial transit project”. Bill 222 received first reading on October [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2 Mathany & Higgs Law lawyers named to 2021 Best Lawyers™ list September 8, 2020 -- Mathany & Higgs Law is pleased to announce that 2 lawyers have been included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to [...]

COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act (Bill 197) received Royal Assent on July 22, 2020.  Bill 197 sets out amendments to the Building Code Act, City of Toronto Act, Development Charges Act, Drainage Act, Education Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Act, Municipal Act, Planning Act, Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act and [...]

Transit-oriented communities (TOC) are part of the provincial government’s plan to build new, sustainable transit.  The Ontario government’s goal is to deliver faster, more reliable and seamless transit in the GTA by developing more housing and jobs near or at transit stations along the province’s four priority subway projects:  Ontario Line, the Yonge North Subway [...]

July 06, 2020 Effective October 13, 2020, the Ontario government will be discontinuing land registration counter services at all 54 Land Registry Offices (LROs). This means that October 9, 2020 is the last day LROs will be open to the public. Land Registry staff will continue to provide customer service support, document certification and processing [...]

On June 15 & 16, 2020, Ian Mathany of Mathany & Higgs Law was pleased to teach course 801C Canadian Land Titles for the International Right of Way Association.  This was the first time this course was taught using a virtual platform and brought students together from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Nunavut.  Thank you [...]

June 17, 2020 | Environment & Land Tribunals Ontario | News The Government of Ontario has announced the creation of a new tribunal organization, the Ontario Land Tribunals, effective July 1, 2020. The new organization will include the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, Environmental Review Tribunal, Board of Negotiation, Conservation Review Board and the Mining and [...]

https://ontarioplanners.ca/OPPIAssets/Documents/OPPI/Letter-from-Minister-Clark-to-Municipalities-re-End-of-Suspension-of-Planning-Act-Timelines-June-12-2020-(01535947xCDE1C).pdf

Extension Key to Protecting Ontarians as Province Safely Reopens June 2, 2020 8:15 P.M. Office of the Premier TORONTO ― In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario is extending the provincial Declaration of Emergency to June 30. The decision supports the government's efforts to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and protect the [...]