Regulatory liability considerations for local governments.
As published in the March 2021 publication of Municipal World.
Articles & Publications
Publication, Staff | March 12, 2021 |
The Operating Principle of “Good Faith” in Construction Contracts – Part III
As published in Northern Construction Connection March 2021 Newsletter – Part II of The Operating Principle of “Good Faith” in Construction Contracts.
The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) rendered its judgement in the case of Wastech Services Ltd. v Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District on February 5, 2021.
Publication, Staff | February 16, 2021 |
Effective February 2021: New Rules May Apply for Local Government Approvals for Zoning, Subdivision, and Development or Building Permits
Amendments to the Environmental Management Act and Contaminated Sites Regulation
Changes to the Environmental Management Act (Bill 17) and Stage 13 Contaminated Sites Regulation (CSR) amendments came into force on Monday, February 1, 2021.
As published in Northern Construction Connection February 2021 Newsletter.
Publication, Staff | January 18, 2021 |
The Operating Principle of “Good Faith” in Construction Contracts – Part II
SCC Judgment: C.M. Callow Inc. v Zollinger – The Exercise of Termination Clauses
As published in Northern Construction Connection January 2021 Newsletter – Part II of The Operating Principle of “Good Faith” in Construction Contracts
The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) rendered its judgment in the case of C.M. Callow Inc. v Zollinger on December 18, 2020.
Publication, Staff | November 17, 2020 |
The Operating Principle of “Good Faith” in Construction Contracts
As published in Northern Construction Connection November 2020 Newsletter.
The obligation to either negotiate or perform a contract in “good faith” is found in many commercial agreements. While these are “big picture” concepts, they can have very real implications when a dispute arises.
Publication, Staff | October 14, 2020 |
Architects, Engineers, and Builders — Oh My! The Architectural Institute of British Columbia v. Langford (City), 2020 BCSC 801
As published in Northern Construction Connection October 2020 Newsletter.
In 2016, the City of Langford’s Chief Building Inspector issued a building permit for the construction of a residential / commercial strata complex. An architect was not involved in the project – the design and drawings were completed by a designer.
Publication, Staff | September 11, 2020 |
Anatomy of a Builders Lien
As published in Northern Construction Connection September 2020 Newsletter.
What is a Builders Lien? A lien is a legal right against assets that are used as collateral to satisfy a debt. The Builders Lien Act (the “Act”) of British Columbia provides a lien for payment owed to a party that performs work and/or supplies materials in relation to an improvement.
Publication, Staff | July 13, 2020 |
The “As-and-When” Contracts – How to Contract when the Scope and Timing of Work is Uncertain
As published in Northern Construction Connection July 2020 Newsletter
The variety of contract models that may be used for construction work is reflective of the broad range of projects undertaken by the industry and the flexibility needed to address pricing options. Where owners may require ongoing, but sporadic, maintenance services, or multiple routine pieces of work, or relatively small-value projects, the frequency, timing, value and scope of the work of individual assignments may not be fully known in advance. An option for parties wanting to engage in such projects may be to enter into “as-and-when” contracts…
Publication, Staff | April 9, 2020 |
Charlesfort Developments Ltd. v. Ottawa (City of), 2019 ONSC 4460
As published in Northern Construction Connection June 2020 Newsletter
In this July 24, 2019 Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision, Justice Sally Gomery addressed the question of whether the City of Ottawa was legally required, as part of a site-specific rezoning process, to advise the developer, Charlesfort Developments Ltd. (Charlesfort), of the risks of developing next to critical municipal infrastructure that was located in an adjacent municipal easement. In this case, the property was being rezoned to permit the development of a 15-storey condominium tower with a 2-storey underground parking garage. The property adjacent to the development site contained an easement in favour of the City of Ottawa, within which a high-pressure water main was located……
Publication, Staff | March 12, 2020 |
Prime Contractor Obligations
As published in Northern Construction Connection March 2020 Newsletter
The awareness around prime contractor responsibilities appears to be much greater now than it did even a decade ago, certainly based on our dealings with clients and construction industry members. It is not uncommon, for example, to now see prominent signs near construction sites identifying the party assuming the prime contractor’s role. For those NRCA members that are new to the industry or new to the idea of ‘prime contractor’, this article sets out the legal duties with respect multiple-employer worksites under the British Columbia Workers Compensation Act (the “Act”) and the regulations enacted thereunder which govern with respect to workplace health and safety in British Columbia…