ONN requests delay of proclamation of Ontario Not for Profit Corporations Act

July 12th, 2012 by Iler Campbell LLP

On Monday, the Ontario Nonprofit Network sent a letter to Minister Best, the Premier and Minister Sousa requesting a delay of the proclamation of Ontario Not‑for‑Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) which is currently scheduled for January 1, 2013 to come into effect January 1, 2016. The letter argues that the Act will do serious harm to the operation of not‑for‑profit organizations and the communities they serve and that the costly and complex transition to the new act is ultimately unnecessary. We agree and hope the McGuinty government gets the message.

Read the letter here (pdf). Read more about the act and its impact on ONNs site. See our previous coverage of the ONCA here.

Ontario Court of Appeal decision upholds P3 arrangements, reduces taxpayer accountability at municipal level

July 10th, 2012 by Laura Bowman

A recent Court of Appeal decision in Friends of Lansdowne v. City of Ottawa et. al. confirms that procedural irregularities are not grounds to overturn a municipal decision.

This case dealt with a redevelopment of Lansdowne Park in Ottawa. The community park is home to a football stadium , a hockey arena and the historic Aberdeen Pavilion exhibition hall. In late 2009 the City approved a redevelopment plan proposed by a private consortium named Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group which hoped to house a CFL franchise at the redeveloped park. The redevelopment plan would renovate the existing arena and stadium, build 330,000 square feet of office, retail and residential space, add underground parking and a new urban park. Heritage buildings would be relocated.  Under the plan, the City would (among other items) contribute $3.8 million per year, pay for some of the costs of the Plan, enter into a 50 year lease for 10.2 acres for an annual rent of $1.00 for the first 30 years, and grant construction and management contracts to the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group.

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What powers do Canadian municipalities have to create environmental rights?

June 28th, 2012 by Paula Boutis and Laura Bowman

A reader asked us if Canadian municipalities can pass an environmental bill of rights, as some American jurisdictions have with the help of the Community Environmental Legal Defence Fund. The example provided by the reader prohibited the extraction of natural gas by means other than gas wells installed and operating at the time of the enactment of the ordinance.

In Canada, municipalities are created by provincial laws and their powers are limited both by those laws and by the limits on provincial jurisdiction.

Read more on rabble.ca

Come Article With Us!

June 21st, 2012 by Iler Campbell LLP

We’re currently accepting applications for the 2013 – 2014 articling year. We’re looking for like-minded progressive people to join our team. Please submit your application (including cover letter, resume, reference letters and copies of your transcripts) by Wednesday, July 18 to the Articling Student Hiring Committee at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

Bill C‑38 creates open season on Canada’s natural environment

June 8th, 2012 by Paula Boutis and Laura Bowman

On April 26, 2012, the federal government tabled Bill C-38, the 2012  Budget Bill.  The Bill was reviewed before the Standing Committee on Finance which just released its report recommending that part 3 of the Bill be carried as written.  Part 3 of Bill C-38 contains several significant changes to federal environmental legislation, including:

  • the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act,
  • the National Energy Board Act,
  • the Canadian Oil and Gas Operations Act,
  • the Nuclear Safety and Control Act,
  • the Fisheries Act,
  • the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and
  • the Species at Risk Act.

Here we describe highlights of the two most important legislative changes, to CEAA and the Fisheries Act.

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Iler Campbell celebrates the International Year of Co‑operatives!

June 5th, 2012 by Iler Campbell LLP

With some 300 co‑ops on our client list, every year at Iler Campbell is a year of co‑operatives. However, the UN’s designation of 2012 as the International Year of Co‑operatives makes this year special. To mark this occasion, we stepping up our efforts to know and serve the housing co‑op sector in particular.

And in fact, we’re stepping out!

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