June 16, 2026
In Angus A2A GP Inc v. Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc., 2026 ABCA 156 (Angus A2A), the Alberta Court of Appeal recently upheld what it described as an “unusual” use of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) (CCAA), in which equity investors, rather than the debtor companies or their creditors, initiated the proceedings.
June 15, 2026
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a township’s short-term rental licensing bylaw, rejecting arguments from a property owners’ association that the regime unlawfully regulates non-commercial activity and effectively bans vacation rentals.
June 15, 2026
This Saskatchewan Court of Appeal decision (Souris Valley Lodging Inc. v. Edenwold No. 158 (Rural Municipality), [2026] S.J. No. 120) deals with issues relating to municipal law and the methods of assessment, finance and taxation of real and immovable property assessment. Two decisions were appealed by Souris Valley Lodging Inc. that arose from 2021 and 2022 assessment by the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA) on two hotel properties.
June 12, 2026
In a recent decision arising from a protracted neighbour dispute, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice underscored the importance of civility in maintaining the peaceful enjoyment of property: Frederick v. Spence, 2026 ONSC 3167. As the trial judge observed, “The fabric of our neighbourhoods is enriched when there is respect for the diversity of our neighbours, their property and their privacy.”
June 12, 2026
Agnès Pignoly has joined De Grandpré Chait as a partner in its public real estate law group in Montreal.
June 12, 2026
Appeal by Souris Valley Lodging Inc (“Souris Valley”) against a decision of the Assessment Appeals Committee of the Saskatchewan Municipal Board (“Committee”). A 2022 assessment of two hotel properties by the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (“SAMA”) used the modified cost approach which required a determination of the Replacement Cost New Less Depreciation of the improvements and the application of a market adjustment factor (“MAF”) to calculate the value that was then added to the property (“Cost Approach”).
June 11, 2026
A recent judicial ruling recognizing homelessness as an analogous ground of discrimination under s. 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has come under fire as “judicial activism.” (Waterloo (Regional Municipality) v. Dugas, 2026 ONSC 2971.)
June 10, 2026
The Supreme Court’s controversial Jordan decision, which has sparked the dismissal of thousands of cases due to unconstitutional trial delay, is still good law, but stays of proceedings are not a cure for undue systemic trial delay, Canada’s top judge says. “One stay of proceedings is too many,” Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner stressed at his annual press conference in Ottawa June 9.
June 10, 2026
Ontario has announced more funds to help communities deal with the risks associated with old and inactive oil and gas wells. Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris revealed the province was investing an additional $7.8 million in several provincial programs associated with dealing with the wells, bringing the 2026 commitment to nearly $11 million.
June 10, 2026
Canadian real estate lawyers are accustomed to handling closings end to end. Under Canada’s Torrens-style land titles systems, the government register provides statutory assurance of title, and closings largely involve inter-law-firm fund exchanges. When your client purchases real property in the United States, however, the process is fundamentally different. There is no government guarantee of title. Instead, title evidence and settlement are private-market functions performed by title insurers and escrow/settlement agents. Understanding these differences is essential to properly advising your client on a U.S. real estate acquisition.