Newsletters and Articles

In a recent Ontario Family Court ruling, Parker v. King, 2025 ONSC 6813, the applicant sought a court order that the respondent not be permitted to bring his albino ball python, called “Rico,” into the courtroom as a service animal.

The judge found that there was no credible evidence that the snake qualified as a legitimate service animal. The judge further found that the “supporting medical note” was not from a properly registered professional and that the purported service animal registry in which the snake was registered as a service animal was fictitious.

In a recent decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO), Lengyel v Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corporation No. 1031 (2025 HRTO 1630), the HRTO again reminds litigants that they cannot raise the same issue in more than one forum.

Ms. Lengyel, a unit owner, alleged that she was discriminated against by the condominium corporation. The condominium refused to allow her to permanently park a second vehicle in an accessible visitor parking space that she claimed was necessary because of a disability.

On January 24, 2025, the Ontario government announced public consultations regarding the potential expansion of the matters that the Condominium Authority Tribunal (the “CAT”) can handle to include adjudicating disputes about owners’ meetings.

This expansion of the CAT’s jurisdiction is currently anticipated to occur on July 1, 2026.

But with the continued rise of civic mistrust in democratic elections, the CAT’s foray into condominium owners’ meetings is fraught with real risks and obvious pitfalls.

Living in a condominium combines the benefits of private ownership with the responsibilities of collective governance. As a lawyer practicing condominium law in Ontario, I regularly witness both the opportunities and challenges that shape the condominium experience. This article aims to provide Board members and property managers with practical insights designed to improve community living, ensure compliance with the Condominium Act, 1998 (the “Act”) and the Declaration, Bylaw and Rules (“Governing Documents”), and foster a harmonious community environment.

With a possible Canada Post strike on the horizon, condominium corporations must consider how to comply with the service of notice requirements of the Condominium Act, 1998 (the Act) when mail service may be unavailable.

In a recent court case, a unit owner was ordered to sell their unit after a series of abusive and harassing behaviors. This individual filed baseless complaints against various regulatory bodies and harassed other residents, even spray-painting swastikas on doors and making offensive remarks. Despite an initial injunction, the harassment continued, leading the court to enforce a forced sale of the unit within six months. The court also awarded $55,000 in legal costs.

This case highlights the serious consequences of harassment in condominiums and serves as a reminder that such behavior will not be tolerated.