P. Courey

The appellant municipality appealed a Drainage Referee's order denying it costs and sought a declaration that a referee who conducts a pre-hearing cannot preside at the hearing.

The respondent landowners cross-appealed the Referee's finding that a proposed drainage project was an 'improvement' under the Drainage Act rather than a new drainage works requiring a petition.

The Divisional Court dismissed the appeal, finding no error in the costs award and holding that a declaration was unnecessary given existing rules.

The cross-appeal was also dismissed, as the Referee correctly distinguished prior case law and made no palpable and overriding error in concluding the project was an improvement despite an increase in capacity.

The appellant sought costs against the Town of Kingsville, alleging the Town acted unreasonably and in bad faith by delaying a decision on a site plan despite staff support.

The Ontario Land Tribunal dismissed the motion, finding no evidence of bad faith.

The Tribunal noted that municipal councils have the discretion to not follow staff recommendations, and that costs are rarely awarded against a public authority.

Furthermore, the Tribunal held it lacks jurisdiction to award costs for conduct occurring outside its proceedings.

The appellant appealed a decision of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal that dismissed his claim for injurious affection without a hearing.

The Tribunal relied on section 4.6(1)(c) of the Statutory Powers Procedure Act but failed to provide the appellant with the required notice of its intention to dismiss the proceeding under section 4.6(2).

The Divisional Court allowed the appeal and set aside the Tribunal's decision due to this procedural error, awarding costs to the appellant.