Paula Boutis

The applicants, affiliated companies in the oil and gas sector, sought approval of a reverse vesting order (RVO) under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

The RVO was opposed by several municipalities because it would extinguish significant outstanding municipal tax liabilities.

The court approved the RVO, finding that it met the requirements of section 36 of the CCAA and the Soundair principles.

The court concluded that the RVO was the only commercially viable alternative to a bankruptcy, which would have disastrous consequences for all stakeholders and leave no funds for environmental obligations or municipal taxes.

The applicant sought a declaration that his property's seasonal use as a "camping and recreational compound" with a travel trailer constituted a legal non-conforming use under the Planning Act.

The respondent, an adjacent landowner, counter-applied for a declaration that the use was not lawful.

The court found the relevant zoning by-law clear and unambiguous, permitting only "park" or "open pavilion" uses in the "Hazard Land Zone," thereby prohibiting the applicant's recreational vehicle use.

The applicant failed to establish a legal non-conforming use or that the municipality was estopped from enforcing the by-law due to "officially induced error," as the municipal officials who provided advice lacked the authority to bind the municipality on zoning matters.

The application was dismissed, and the counter-application was granted.

A former employee and founding member of a coffee company and its related worker co‑operative sought damages for failure to redeem “sweat equity” credits earned through reduced cash wages.

The plaintiff alleged entitlement to redemption of Class B shares and pursued an oppression remedy under the Ontario Business Corporations Act, as well as relief under the Co‑operative Corporations Act.

The court held that the plaintiff’s sweat equity constituted an option or warrant to acquire shares rather than an existing shareholding, and that he had standing as a complainant but no entitlement to redemption.

The court found no oppressive conduct because the internal pay scale and resulting reduction of sweat equity value were adopted through a fair process in which the plaintiff participated.

The action was dismissed and the corporations were not required to redeem the sweat equity credits.

A non-profit housing co-operative applied under the Co-operative Corporations Act to terminate a member’s membership and occupancy rights, obtain a writ of possession, and recover rent arrears.

The respondent did not appear at the hearing despite proper service and prior notice.

The court reviewed the co‑op board’s decision on a reasonableness standard and considered whether the member received procedural fairness in the termination process.

Finding the board had provided multiple opportunities to respond, complied with principles of natural justice, and had a reasonable basis for termination based on rent arrears and ongoing disruptive conduct, the court upheld the decision.

The application was granted, membership terminated, and costs awarded.