Electronic Meetings and Proxy Voting
Bill 197 has received Royal Assent, but may be challenged
The COVID-19 pandemic has sped up innovation and change throughout the world, and the municipal sector is no exception. With social distancing guidelines and the technology that has been adapted to accommodate virtual meetings, municipalities have been operating according to new health and safety regulations and pursuant to their authorizing . . .
Posted in: accessibilitycovid-19legislationmunicipal councilmunicipal lawmunicipalitiesontariopublic participationtoronto
Who Let the Dogs Out?
When Dogs Need to be on a Leash: Legal Considerations and Implications
Pet adoption has significantly increased during the Covid-19 pandemic and there are many new dog owners who may not be aware of their responsibilities when enjoying the outdoors with their pets.
Municipalities in the Simcoe County area tend to have similar by-laws which require a dog to be on a leash when off of private property, . . .
Posted in: by-lawscovid-19dogsleash lawslegislationliabilitymunicipal lawmunicipalitiesontariosimcoe county
LPAT hearing events cancelled to June 30, 2020
Update from the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal
The Government of Ontario passed an Emergency Order (O.Reg. 73/20) under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. This Order is retroactive to March 16, 2020, and will affect proceedings before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal in the following ways:
• The Tribunal will not schedule any hearing events, including in-person, . . .
Posted in: covid-19developersland use planninglegislationlocal planning appeal tribunallpatmunicipal lawmunicipalitiesontarioreal estatesimcoe countytribunals ontario
LPAT COVID-19 POLICY
Tribunals Ontario is postponing all upcoming in-person hearings
The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal has released the following policies:
All appearance hearings that have been scheduled to commence or continue on or after Monday March 16th to Friday April 3rd will be adjourned and will be rescheduled at a later date.
All scheduled teleconference calls will proceed as scheduled.
. . .Posted in: covid-19developersland use planninglocal planning appeal tribunallpatmunicipal lawmunicipalitiesontariotribunals ontario
OMB Rules are Making a Comeback
May 2, 2019
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced this morning that the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) will revert back to the old Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) rules with de novo hearings. The proposed changes to the Planning Act and the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Act, 2017 are meant to allow the LPAT to hear appeals with . . .
Posted in: developersland use planninglegislationlocal planning appeal tribunallpatmunicipal lawmunicipalitiesontarioontario municipal boardreal estate
More Legislative Changes Affecting Municipal Law in Ontario
ELTO is gone; Cannabis retail stores are now limited
This was another busy week of legislative changes in Ontario.
First, ELTO will be no more as of January 1, 2019. All tribunals in Ontario will be grouped under a new “Tribunals Ontario”.
You can find the new Ontario Regulation 494/18 here: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r18494
Secondly, there will only be . . .
Can I Cut Down My Own Christmas Tree?
Tree-cutting laws in Ontario
The holidays are fast approaching. If you love having a real Christmas tree but you don’t want to pay for one, you may be looking to chop one down in a local forest or maybe get one from your own property.
But…is it allowed? In Ontario, the short answer is: it depends.
Individuals are permitted to cut down a tree on crown . . .