Bill 97 and the Future of Privacy in Ontario
Schedule 11 of Bill 97 proposes significant changes to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Following second reading, the Bill has been referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.
The Bill signals a fundamental shift in how Ontario municipalities will be expected to manage personal . . .
BILL 98: CHANGES TO PLANNING POLICIES AND MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
Bill 98, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, is currently at Second Reading, has been debated and ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy.
The Acts it proposes to amend are: the Building Code Act, 1992; City of Toronto Act, 2006; Metrolinx Act, 2006; . . .
Ontario Proposes Significant Changes to Regional Governance
The Ontario government will be proposing the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, which would implement substantial changes to governance structures in several upper-tier municipalities across the province.
If passed, the legislation would introduce provincially appointed regional chairs with strong executive powers; reduce the size of . . .
Two Additional Regional Conservation Authorities Proposed by the Province of Ontario
The Province of Ontario has announced adjusted plans for changes to conservation authorities.
The original proposal was to consolidate into seven regional conservation authorities. After consultation where comments included concerns that the proposed boundaries were too large and not reflective of watersheds, the province has . . .
Case Summary: New Developments to the Laws of Adverse Possession and Municipal Parklands
Kosicki v. City of Toronto, 2025 SCC28
A recent decision from the Supreme Court of Canada has clarified that municipally owned parkland in Ontario is not protected from adverse possession claims unless it is explicitly exempted by statute.
Background
In 2017, the appellant owners purchased a home in Toronto that backs onto a municipally owned laneway separating . . .
Ontario Proposes New Legislation Addressing Municipal Governance and Public Works Services in Peel Region
Highlights of Ontario's proposed Municipal Accountability Act, 2024, and Peel Transition Implementation Act, 2024
The Ontario government has introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at municipal governance and the delivery of public works services in certain municipalities located in the Greater Toronto Area.
The first piece of legislation, known as the Municipal Accountability Act, 2024 (Bill 241), focuses on municipal governance and . . .
New Rules for Municipalities with Bicycle Lanes in Ontario
Bill 212: the “Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act”
Municipalities in Ontario are now subject to a new framework of rules and regulations which affect the construction of bicycle lanes on public roadways. In an effort to address gridlock, certain municipalities in Ontario may now be required to get approval from the Government of Ontario to add or construct bike lanes on public roads if they . . .
