Construction and Engineering Construction and Engineering

Ontario planning process undergoes significant changes: Bill 139 receives Royal Assent

On December 12, 2017, Bill 139 received third reading and Royal Assent in the provincial legislature, coming into force as the Building Better...

Liquidated damages: Canadian adoption, divergence and the necessity for restatement

Liquidated damages are a common element in Canadian construction contracts and serve as a useful risk allocation mechanism.

Construction Lien Act Reform: What it means for CIQS members

The upcoming reform of the Construction Lien Act, expected to take effect in the coming months, will fundamentally alter the dynamics of the...

Ontario government revamps Construction Lien Act: What you need to know about prompt payment, mandatory adjudication, and more

The Ontario government introduced Bill 142 that, if passed, would significantly amend the Construction Lien Act to create a prompt payment regime,...

Ontario government proposes significant overhaul to municipal planning approval and appeal process with Bill 139

The Ontario government tabled Bill 139, the Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017 for 1st Reading in the provincial...

Saskatchewan’s 2017-18 budget: Provincial Sales Tax changes

On March 23, 2017, Saskatchewan’s government released its 2017-2018 budget (the Budget). Included in the Budget were some significant changes to...

Ontario Courts continue to clarify the scope and power of section 99 of the Environmental Protection Act

In Huang v Fraser Hillary’s Limited, 2017 ONSC 1500, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice confirmed that plaintiffs can rely on section 99 of the...

Defining industry-specific contractual terms: Supreme Court of Canada revisits principles of contractual interpretation

The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Sabean v Portage LaPrairie Mutual Insurance Company affirms that the proper approach to contractual...

Proposed changes to the Construction Lien Act: What do they mean for the construction industry?

The long-awaited report on potential amendments to the Construction Lien Act, which was commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General,...

Ninety-nine problems (continued): Supreme Court of Canada denies leave to appeal Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Midwest Properties Ltd. v. Thordarson

On May 26, 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada denied leave to appeal the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Midwest Properties Ltd. v....