Articles 2021

Section 235 of Bill C-19 (which received royal assent on June 23, 2022) introduced the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, which prohibits Non-Canadians from purchasing, directly or indirectly, any residential property in Canada. The introduction of the bill is in accordance with one of the federal government’s primary goals of stabilizing the housing market and providing more affordable housing to Canadians.

This article elaborates on the consequences for a seller who does not honour a real estate deal that the buyer entered into with the intent to develop the land.

This article outlines the "Ontario HVAC Scam," which exploits loopholes in consumer protection laws and the real property registration system to dupe unsuspecting homeowners.

This article summarizes a recent court of appeal decision where the court ruled that a municipality's undertaking to process a zoning application for the developer does not include protecting the developer's economic interests. In other words, the municipality is not liable for damages the developer incurs due to the municipality's provision of inaccurate information when processing the zoning application.

"A Lot from the Dot" bulletin by Mr. Jeffrey Lem. This bulletin describes Teraview changes that came into effect on December 20, 2021, including modifications made to the Statements to be made for Corporate Authorization.

The Ontario Court of Appeal recently upheld the Ontario Superior Court's decision in Elias Restaurant v. Keele Sheppard Plaza Inc. and acknowledged that the application judge was entitled to find anti-Black racism as a relevant factor behind the landlord’s refusal to renew the lease. This case is noteworthy as it illustrates a court’s willingness to view legal disputes within the context of systemic and interpersonal racism.

This article provides an insightful analysis of diversity and inclusion within Canada's commercial real estate industry. It provides a breakdown of the number and percentages of women directors and executive officers within the real estate sector, outlines familiar obstacles women and visible minorities often face at the corporate level, and sets out some best practices sector leaders have undertaken to remove systemic barriers for women and minorities.

An update on the amendments to the Law Society of Ontario's by-laws on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing provisions.