Firm News

Client Profile: Project Bookmark

June 12th, 2013 by Iler Campbell
Michael Ondaatje and Mayor David Miller at the unveiling of the first Bookmark in 2009.

Michael Ondaatje and Mayor David Miller at the unveiling of the first Bookmark in 2009.

Project Bookmark Canada marks the places where the real and imagined landscapes meet by placing text from imagined stories and poems in the exact, physical locations where literary scenes take place. The charity envisions a network of hundreds of Bookmarks around the country so that residents and visitors can read their way right across Canada.

Iler Campbell LLP has been with Project Bookmark Canada from the beginning. Its founder, author Miranda Hill, engaged us in 2006 to help incorporate the organization and achieve charitable status. And in 2009, we proudly attended the unveiling of the first Bookmark at the Bloor Street Viaduct: a passage from Michael Ondaatje’s In the Skin of a Lion.

We continue to provide Project Bookmark Canada with ongoing legal service primarily in the areas of corporate and contractual law. Recently, Project Bookmark Canada created installations in Vancouver, BC and Gros Morne National Park in NL and has just completed an extensive fundraising initiative spearheaded by literary luminaries like Margaret Atwood, Terry Fallis and Shelagh Rogers.

We encourage you to find out more about this dynamic organization at projectbookmarkcanada.ca.

 

Client Profile: Artscape

June 3rd, 2013 by Iler Campbell
The Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre while under construction in 2011

The Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre while under construction in 2011

Artscape is a not-for-profit urban development organization that connects the dynamism and power of creative people with other public, private, philanthropic, community and neighbourhood interests. Over the course of their 26-year history, they’ve become leaders in creative placemaking, and have generated many positive cultural, economic, social and environmental outcomes with their projects. Artscape projects are designed to build and leverage the local community’s cultural assets and creative resources while serving as catalysts for neighborhood growth and transformation. To date their projects have been catalysts for regeneration and have helped stimulate some of Toronto’s most vibrant and creative neighbourhoods including the award-winning Artscape Wychwood Barns and multi-tenant arts facilities in the Queen Street West, Distillery Historic District, Toronto Island and Liberty Village neighbourhoods. Artscape has earned a reputation as an international leader in the fields of culture-led regeneration and city-building through the arts.

Iler Campbell LLP has been a part of Artscape’s team for many years, playing an active role in making many of Artscape’s projects happen on the real estate side. In particular, Iler Campbell is proud to have worked with Artscape to create a model for ownership that allows artists to purchase affordable live-work spaces and to share with Artscape in the increase in the property value. The model also ensures that the spaces are available for resale to other artists on an ongoing affordable basis. So far this model has been used at the Artscape Triangle Lofts where artists have been owners since late 2010 and this will also be used at Artscape Youngplace, a non-residential artists project planned at the Shaw Street School site in Toronto’s west end. And there are more projects in the works.

If you’d like to read more about what Artscape is doing, please take a look their website at artscape.ca.

Presentation on “Code of Ethics and the Discipline Process” for Early Childhood Educators Ontario

May 27th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

On Saturday, May 25, 2103, Paula Boutis gave a presentation at the 2013 conference for the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario on the “Code of Ethics and the Discipline Process” (pdf).

In 2007, Early Childhood Educators were recognized as members of a profession. With that, came the obligation to self‑regulate the membership. In 2011, the profession established a Code of Ethics. Paula’s presentation gave an overview of how the standards of the profession are enforced and what members can expect during a complaint investigation and discipline process.

Progress in the fight against jets on Toronto’s waterfront

May 9th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Tuesday was a good day for NoJetsTo, a grassroots organization fighting against Porter Airline’s plan to fly jets our to Toronto’s island airport. Although city council voted in favour of proceeding with a study of the proposed expansion, it also approved four motions which together severely constrain the scope of this study. Together, these motions, which aim to hold Porter to its word and to protect the right of private pilots to use the airport, make the success of the expansion much less likely. Read more on NoJetsTo’s blog.

Brian Iler is Chair of CommunityAIR, a supporting organization of NoJetsTO.

Iler Campbell and AIS, Inc. relationship strengthens

April 30th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Since 1972, AIS has provided accommodation, information and support to people in Toronto affected by mental health challenges, substance abuse and the trauma associated with homelessness.  Take at look at the AIS website to see some of its great work. Iler Campbell LLP is proud to be a part of AIS’ circle of service providers, providing real estate and corporate/commercial advice to the organization for approximately 15 years.  Together with AIS, we are pleased to announce that one of our associates, Celia Chandler, is volunteering her personal time as a member of the Board of Directors of AIS.  Celia has a growing interest in issues related to housing and mental health and looks forward to broadening her understanding in this new role.   

Free Talk! Board Governance: Roles & Responsibilities

April 29th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Join the GTA Co‑op Network for this free talk by Paula Boutis
6:30PM Tuesday May 14 at Harvest Noon Cafe + Co-op.

If you’re on the board of a co-op, considering it, or just curious, you’re sure to gain some valuable information!

This talk will review the relevant legislation governing co‑operative governance, the roles of the directors & officers, and their obligations, including potential liabilities that arise when you are a director or officer of a Board.

Here’s the event listing on facebook. No RSVP or registration is required — just show up! This event is also an *optional potluck* so please bring something to share with the group if you have time! Finger-food is preferable. Join us afterwards for a drink, or just to socialize at the GSU Pub — just below Harvest Noon!