Our Municipal Law Group

The BLG national network of municipal law specialists focuses on municipal issues at all levels of complexity.  The depth of knowledge and experience of our Municipal Law Group provides our public and private sector clients with a sophisticated range of fresh solutions to new and familiar issues and problems in the municipal arena.  Whenever necessary, we are able to call upon professionals from other Practice Groups with expertise in all areas relating to local government, including environmental law, expropriations, municipal liability, commercial real estate, labour and employment, energy and infrastructure and regulatory law. We also work with leading professionals in other disciplines, and can assist you with assembling the team you need to accomplish your objectives, and overcome challenges, in a timely and cost effective way.

Our Municipal Law Group advises and represents upper and lower-tier municipalities, provincial governments, other government agencies, boards and commissions, and corporate and individual clients on a wide range of municipal, planning, development, assessment, finance and governmental matters.  Our Energy Markets and Infrastructure Group  has extensive experience in connection with the restructuring of municipal electric commissions into Local Distribution Companies which will be directly applicable in connection with the establishment of municipal business corporations.  When the interests and positions of the parties seem to defy solutions, we can provide an experienced, confidently and thoroughly prepared, and highly professional team to advance your project, negotiate advantageous terms, resolve conflicts, and fulfill all of your municipal law requirements.

Our Services

Planning Controls

  • Official plans, policy plans, community plans, community improvement plans, secondary plans and amendments, approvals and appeals.
  • Comprehensive and site-specific zoning by-laws and amendments, interim control by-laws and other specialized zoning controls, approvals and appeals.
  • Strategic advice on preparation and implementation of high level plans.
  • Drafting and submissions on municipal legislation

Development Approvals

  • Subdivision approvals and appeals
  • Site plan approvals and appeals
  • Severances, minor variances, non-conforming uses and other permissions
  • Development permits

Agreements

  • Subdivision and site plan agreements
  • Development agreements
  • Cost sharing agreements

Development Charges and Levies

  • By-law approvals and appeals
  • Front-ending agreements and other mechanisms
  • Development charge credits

Property Taxation

  • Assessment appeals
  • Property tax appeals
  • Lobbying for legislative change
  • Property tax planning

Local Government

  • Amalgamation, annexation and restructuring advice
  • Municipal by-law interpretation, drafting and litigation
  • Municipal law opinions
  • Preparation of municipal resolutions, staff reports and other documentation
  • Licencing matters

Building Matters

  • Building, occupancy and other permits, and appeals arising therefrom including judicial review
  • Building Code, Fire Code and other code defences

Advocacy

  • Representation before tribunals and courts
  • Appearances before municipal councils and committees
  • Alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration

Finance

  • Capital market transactions
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Tax enhanced infrastructure projects
  • Innovative financing transactions

Municipal Business Corporations

  • Incorporation and compliance with O. Reg. 168/03
  • Corporate governance
  • Financing transactions
  • Transportation issues
  • Construction and project management agreements
  • Operation and management agreements

Our Clients

We act as counsel to a broad range of businesses and individuals, including land developers, builders, property managers, owners of shopping centres, office towers and recreational, entertainment and hospitality properties, industries in the petrochemical, pipeline, energy (including oil and gas and electric power), retail, manufacturing and distribution sectors, financial institutions and investors.

We also act as counsel to all levels of government, locally, provincially and federally, government agencies, boards and commissions, hospitals, school boards, other public institutions, ratepayer groups, not-for-profit organizations and non-governmental organizations

National Leader

Regional Leaders

Application Form

Close








Please fill all the fields.

Information sent through the Web Site is not encrypted and may not be secure. Confidential or sensitive information should not be sent through the Web Site. By submitting your resume and other personal information, you acknowledge and signify that you have signed, read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Web Site Use Agreement and that you consent to BLG's collection, use and disclosure of your resume and personal information in accordance with the Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Web Site Privacy Policy.