The appellants operated a wedding venue on their property without obtaining building permits or proper zoning. The Township issued an Unsafe Order and subsequently Orders Prohibiting Occupancy under the Building Code Act, citing the lack of a building permit. The appellants appealed the Orders Prohibiting Occupancy. The Superior Court of Justice allowed the appeal and rescinded the orders, finding that the absence of a building permit does not, on its own, constitute an 'unsafe' condition under s. 15.9(2) of the Act, and the Township committed a palpable and overriding error by using the orders for a collateral purpose.
CITATION: Catana v. Township of Blandford-Blenheim, 2026 ONSC 2911
ONTARIO
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
BETWEEN:
Josif Catana, Lidia Catana and Sefora Catana
Appellants
– and –
The Township of Blandford-Blenheim and the Chief Building Official of the Township of Blandford-Blenheim
Respondents
Christopher Lee and Katryna Vergis-Mayo, for the Appellants
John A.M. Petrella, for the Respondents
HEARD: February 12, 2026
Kalajdzic J:
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