Province Proposing AMPS Penalties for Zoning Infractions
On May 20, 2026 the provincial government announced that it would be introducing amendments to the Planning Act which will allow municipalities to encourage compliance with zoning by-laws through an Administrative Monetary Penalty System (“AMPS”).
This will be aimed at preventing illegal land uses, especially illegal . . .
Municipalities may Apply to the Court to Close a Private Residence for Public Nuisance
In the 2025 case of St Catharines v. Al-Kadhee, the City brought an application for a closing order in respect of a private residence pursuant to s. 447.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001. The Court confirmed that the legislation does not just apply to commercial properties and issued a closing order for 12 months.
The residence was . . .
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 . . .
