Regulations
Mixed uses to ease into suburban office parks
The new policy would give developers a basis to challenge any local government's veto of non-employment land uses in suburban office parks.
Clothing donation bins may pose liability risk
Commercial property owners who host clothing donation bins could run afoul of their province's Occupiers Liability Act or Occupational Health and Safety Act should an incident occur.
Affordable rental housing on national agenda
As 2019 begins, Canadians continue to face a well-chronicled slate of challenges when it comes to finding affordable rental housing. Here, housing experts share their insights...and even a few solutions.
Addressing sub-standard rental housing
Hamilton-area landlords are speaking out after city councillors voted to move ahead on a rental housing licensing pilot affecting properties with six or fewer units. If approved, landlords will be required to obtain a rental housing license for $200.
Few favours for commercial ratepayers in 2018
Tax ratios for 11 of Canada's largest cities demonstrate that commercial ratepayers consistently carry a disproportionate share of the municipal property tax burden.
The landlord’s guide to PIPEDA
Beginning November 1, 2018, all private businesses across Canada, including small residential landlords, will be impacted by the latest changes to PIPEDA.
Assessing the impact of rent control
More than a year after the Fair Rental Act was introduced, rent control is back in the spotlight with new research suggesting it is doing more harm than good when it comes to rental construction and affordability.
Medical cannabis a prescription for uncertainty
Rental housing industry advocates have been urging the Canadian government to review and modify rules governing the cultivation of plants for personal medical use.
CDM mandate survives Green Energy Repeal Act
Selected provisions enabling some of Ontario's key energy and water conservation programs will be transferred to the Electricity Act.
Fixing Ontario’s rental housing crisis
On June 7th, Ontario Progressive Conservative party leader Doug Ford was elected the province’s new premier in a majority vote that has left some industries fearing the worst and others optimistic.
Recreational cannabis use to become legal this fall
Is it time for condo boards and property managers to brace for reefer madness? It may depend on which condo lawyer they ask.
Lounge furniture targeted as multi-res fire risk
Some condo lobbies may be looking spare lately because the lounge furniture that usually occupies these spaces is being targeted as a fire risk.
Cannabis in the multi-residential living space
On October 17, the new Cannabis Act will officially take effect, and no one is more alarmed about the pending challenges than landlords and tenants.
Time-of-use electricity rates spark debate
The Ontario NDP's proposed plan would focus efforts to manage peak demand more narrowly on the Industrial Conservation Initiative and voluntary residential programs enabled through smart grid technology.
Ontario candidates overstate conservation costs
The upfront costs of Ontario's electricity conservation programs are lower than some candidates for provincial office are alleging.
Ontario revises property assessment schedule
The launch of a new four-year cycle in 2017 spurred a wave of assessment appeals as property owners reacted to often dramatic increases in value over the previous assessment.
Manitoba nixes tax break for new rental housing
Developers of purpose-built rental housing in Manitoba are losing a tax credit that has been available for the past five years.
