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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