This month marks nine months since the first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially impacted small businesses, including those in Toronto who are currently subject to a grey - lockdown period which began on November 23 and was extended until January 21, 2021.

In our August 11, 2020 article, we previously wrote about the enforcement of residential evictions in Ontario, which were temporarily suspended at the outset of the pandemic. Resumption of residential evictions began on August 4, 2020. At the time that the temporary freeze on evictions came into effect, there were approximately 3,000 evictions in the City of Toronto (the “City”) that had been placed on hold. As enforcement of these back-logged evictions proceeds, there are serious concerns that mass evictions will occur, resulting in a wave of increased homelessness that the City must handle.

At the outset of the pandemic, the Court ordered a ban on the enforcement of residential evictions tribunal orders. This ban ended on July 31, 2020 and evictions are now enforceable as of August 4, 2020.

On Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m., the Ontario government reopened a large portion of the construction industry. However, in order to resume construction, contractors must comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. This article takes a look at how your residential construction project may be impacted going forward.

Much like the reception that greeted ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft when they first entered Toronto’s marketplace, there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the short-term housing rental economy ever since apps like Airbnb gained popularity in the city.

Whether purchasing a commercial or residential property, the prevailing law is “buyer beware.”

In our final article addressing franchise law, we will discuss how an individual or company involved in a franchise agreement on behalf of the franchisor, or brand owner, can be held personally responsible for damages suffered by a franchisee, or individual location owner.

PROVING YOUR CASE AT TRIAL