Builders are Concerned about Tarion’s Future

by | April 30, 2024 | Construction, Regulatory | 0 Comments

It has been reported that Tarion – the independent and not-for-profit organization that administers Ontario’s new home warranty program – is facing the “largest claim event” in its history, with the organization expecting to owe more than $90 million to home buyers....
Read More

Builders Beware: Responding to a Request for Information from the HCRA

by | July 26, 2022 | Construction, Regulatory | 0 Comments

The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (“HCRA”) is responsible for regulating new home builders and vendors in Ontario. The HCRA has the authority to request information from builders or vendors under the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017 (“NHCLA”). The...
Read More

Regulators be warned: Canadian work experience rules are set to change

by | November 30, 2021 | Regulatory | 0 Comments

Rules around the Canadian work experience required to enter many professions in Ontario are being rewritten, so I suggest that regulators should start planning now so they can adjust to this new reality. On Oct. 21, the provincial government introduced legislation...
Read More

Understanding the role, and limitations, governing expert witnesses in licencing matters

by | September 14, 2021 | Featured, Practice | 0 Comments

The insight that expert witnesses bring to courtrooms and tribunals can be invaluable in helping reach informed decisions. But there are definite rules governing who these experts can be and the scope of their testimony. That is why I was happy to see that the College...
Read More

There is a new regulator in town for Ontario home builders

by | August 9, 2021 | Construction, Featured, Regulatory | 0 Comments

Ontario’s home-building industry significantly changed on Feb. 1 as the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) started operations. The new agency takes over the regulatory and licensing functions previously carried out by the Tarion Warranty Corporation, and I...
Read More

Building homes in a pandemic starts with a safety plan

by | January 13, 2021 | Construction, Real Estate | 0 Comments

After Ontario’s economy was hammered by COVID-19 in 2020, its economic recovery this year will be led by home construction even though the pandemic has changed almost every aspect of the industry. There are many new rules that home builders must now abide by to keep...
Read More

Regulations around new home sales are changing

by | November 2, 2020 | Real Estate, Regulatory | 0 Comments

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with the sales team at Sotheby's International Realty to discuss legal considerations for realtors when dealing with new home sales. It's a changing landscape for builders, vendors and realtors alike. Here are some key points...
Read More

Update to real estate rules benefits both the industry and consumers

by | October 27, 2020 | Real Estate, Regulatory | 0 Comments

The modernization of regulations governing Ontario’s real estate industry is welcomed by those in the industry and I am sure it will be embraced by the public. The first phase of the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2020 was implemented on Oct. 1, affecting the work...
Read More

Newly released plan gives Tarion a roadmap for improvement

by | October 7, 2020 | Construction, Regulatory | 0 Comments

With the goal of improving customer service while enhancing transparency and consumer protection, the Tarion Warranty Corporation recently released an Implementation Plan outlining how it will fulfill recommendations handed down by the Auditor General. Created in 1976...
Read More

Navigating Real Estate Transactions During a Pandemic

by | June 3, 2020 | Real Estate | 0 Comments

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, real estate salespeople and brokerages are drastically changing their operations to suit the new reality. The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) is keeping members up to date about the changes required to move forward in this...
Read More