Payments in Lieu of Taxes: New Supreme Court of Canada Judgment
2012-09-25Legal Updates
The Supreme Court of Canada has recently released its judgment in the case of Halifax (Regional Municipality) v. Canada (Public Works and Government Services), the second in a line of cases decided by the Supreme Court of Canada with respect to the application of the Federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act (the “Act”). This […]
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Claim for Abuse of Public Office Rejected
2012-09-25Legal Updates
The recent British Columbia Supreme Court case of Scory v. Langley (Township) may be of interest to local government. The Plaintiff, Mr. Scory, brought action against the Township for damages allegedly resulting from the Defendant Township delaying the issuance of a building permit through what the Plaintiff claimed was an abuse of public office.
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The Duty to Consult First Nations in Relation to the Incorporation of Municipalities
2012-09-25Legal Updates
As noted in our client bulletin dated April 2012, respecting the BC Supreme Court decision in Neskonlith Indian Band v. Salmon Arm (City), although local governments may not have a duty to consult and accommodate First Nations that parallels that of the Crown, the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate remains an important fact of […]
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Public Hearings and the Duty to Disclose Reports
2012-09-25Legal Updates
The recent decision of the BC Court of Appeal in Fisher Road Holdings Ltd. v. Cowichan Valley (Regional District) highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local government elected and appointed officials in ensuring a fair public hearing process that can withstand judicial review. The case involved the rezoning of land in the Cowichan Valley owned […]
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Defamation and Release of Criminal Record Check Information
2012-05-16Legal Updates
In the case of William v. Kelowna (City), 2012 BCSC 421, the plaintiff, William, brought an action against the City of Kelowna and one of its employees, O’Reilly, on the basis that the Defendants were negligent in processing a criminal record check and had defamed her by advising her prospective employer of the content of […]
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Limits to Lawful Non-Conforming Uses – Campgrounds, Park Models and Storage Sheds
2012-05-16Legal Updates
A recent British Columbia Supreme Court case involving the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and a proposed development of a campground on the shore of Shuswap Lake within the Regional District may be of some interest to local government. In MM Project Management Services Inc., Re, 2012 BCSC 47 the owner of the campground lands sought […]
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Interpreting Zoning Bylaws – Two Recent Cases
2012-05-16Legal Updates
When the interpretation of any bylaw is in question, the court’s task is to determine the intent of the Board or Council, as expressed through the wording of the bylaw. That is not always a straightforward matter. Two recent cases illustrate the approach the courts use when interpreting zoning bylaws: Whistler (Resort Municipality) v. Whistler […]
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Protection of Third Party Information Under Access to Information Legislation
2012-05-16Legal Updates
The Supreme Court of Canada’s recent judgment in the case of Merck Frosst Canada Ltd. v. Canada (Health), 2012 SCC 3 (“Merck”) provides some important guidance and clarification with respect to the protection of third party information when a request for disclosure is made under the federal Access to Information Act. Although the case arose […]
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Bill 25 Gives Regional Districts Procedural Protection Enjoyed by Municipalities
2012-05-16Legal Updates
By passing Bill 25 – “Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2012”, the Legislature will put regional districts on par with municipalities in several important procedural areas. The Bill has had third reading and the changes it makes to the Local Government Act (“LGA”) will come into force when the Bill receives Royal Assent. The Bill creates […]
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“Volunteer” Firefighter Disqualified From Municipal Office
2012-05-16Legal Updates
The recent BC Supreme Court decision in Baziuk v. Shelley may be causing some concern around the Province for elected officials who serve as “volunteer” firefighters on municipal councils and regional boards. In the Baziuk v. Shelley decision, a council member elected for the Village of Harrison Hot Springs was found to be not qualified […]
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