Tree Protection Covenant Enforceable

Written by: Kristen Morley

2013-03-22Legal Updates
Buck v. Regional District of Nanaimo (2 November, 2012), Victoria Registry No. 12-2289 (B.C.S.C.) This case concerned a challenge to the validity of a conservation covenant registered pursuant to Section 219 of the Land Title Act.  In 2005, a land developer subdivided a 178-hectare parcel of land to create a 72-lot subdivision in the area […]
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Court of Appeal Overturns Trial Victory for Halalt First Nation

Written by: Michael Hargraves

2013-03-22Legal Updates
In November, 2012, the BC Court of Appeal released its judgment in the case of Halalt First Nation v. British Columbia, 2012 BCCA 472.  The Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the trial judge, who held that the provincial Crown had failed to consult with and accommodate the Halalt First Nation (“HFN”) in connection […]
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Toronto Mayor Tackles Disqualification Ruling

Written by: Colin Stewart

2013-03-22Legal Updates
Magder v. Ford:  The Best Defense is Sometimes a Good Offense The Ontario Divisional Court, on appeal from the Ontario Superior Court, has overturned a ruling that found the Mayor of Toronto was disqualified from office for breach of the Ontario Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
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Decision to Remove Dangerous Tree Upheld

Written by: Kristen Morley

2013-03-22Legal Updates
Corporation of the District of Saanich v. Furber et al. 2012 BCSC 1824 This case involved a decision by Saanich to remove a 100-year-old Douglas Fir tree located on a highway boulevard.   The tree was infected with a fungus that caused rotting of the roots and core of the tree.  The tree outwardly appeared to […]
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Supreme Court of Canada Clarifies Law of Injurious Affection

Written by: Ryan Bortolin

2013-03-22Legal Updates
In its recent decision in Antrim Truck Centre Ltd. v. Ontario (Transportation), 2013 SCC 13, the Supreme Court of Canada has clarified the legal test for determining whether a property owner is entitled to damages for injurious affection resulting from construction of a public project.  The Court has ruled that the mere fact a public […]
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New Ruling on Conflict of Interest and Participation of Elected Officials on the Boards of Not for Profit Organizations – Court of Appeal finds an Indirect Pecuniary Interest

Written by: Colin Stewart

2013-01-15Legal Updates
On January 11, 2013, the Court of Appeal overturned the B.C. Supreme Court decision in Schlenker v. Torgrimson, which had been a decision alleging that members of the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee were in conflict because of their participation on the boards of directors of not for profit organizations.  Not only did the […]
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Deadline for Notice of Tax Sale Approaching

Written by: Ryan Bortolin

2012-12-10Legal Updates
The deadline for providing notice to owners of properties purchased at this year’s tax sale is fast approaching.  Tax sales occur on the last Monday of September.  The Local Government Act requires that the collector give written notice of the tax sale and of the redemption period to persons registered in the land title office […]
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Neskonlith Indian Band v. Salmon Arm (City)

Written by: Peter Johnson

2012-09-25Legal Updates
The B.C. Court of Appeal has upheld the lower court ruling in Neskonlith Indian Band v. Salmon Arm (City).  The lower court’s ruling was the topic of our April, 2012 client bulletin. As noted in our client bulletin, the lower court held that the City of Salmon Arm was not under a legal duty to […]
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Consistency Revisited: Sevin v. Prince George (City)

Written by: Kristen Morley

2012-09-25Legal Updates
In the recent decision of Sevin v. Prince George (City), the B.C. Supreme Court declared invalid a zoning bylaw amendment that would have allowed a former elementary school in a rural zone to be used as a 30-bed addiction treatment centre.  The Supreme Court found that the amendment was inconsistent with the City’s Official Community […]
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Stop the Clocks: The New Limitation Act and Its Effect on Local Governments

Written by: Ryan Bortolin

2012-09-25Legal Updates
The new Limitation Act (the “New Act”) will affect many types of claims typically faced by local governments.  The biggest changes in the New Act are a shift to a basic limitation period of 2 years for most claims and a reduction in the ultimate limitation period from 30 to 15 years. Before describing the […]
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