Construction owners take note: Supreme Court will rule on important OHSA issue
In Ontario (Labour) v Sudbury (City),[1] the Ontario Court of Appeal recently held that a construction owner may be liable for violations of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “OHSA”) on a construction project as an employer. On December...
Trends for contractors to consider in preparing bids and tenders
As Ontario recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction industry is facing an unfamiliar economic landscape. With inflation at a 30-year high, a low labour force participation rate, and significant supply chain delays, contractors must revisit the risk allocation models...
Bill 37: Prompt Payment slated to come into force on August 29, 2022 (and Regulations!)
On February 25, 2022, the Government announced that Bill 37 will come into force on August 29, 2022. Miller Thomson has been closely following the development of Bill 37: The Builders’ Lien (Prompt Payment) Amendment Act) (“Bill 37”) which first...
Zerbin v Vrbanek, 2021 ABCA 317: The Alberta Court kicks back at a contractor taking kickbacks
In the Alberta Court of Appeal decision, Zerbin v Vrbanek, 2021 ABCA 317 (“Zerbin”), and the preceding trial decision (Zerbin v Vrbanek, 2020 ABQB 797), the Alberta Courts assessed damages against a general contractor who was bleeding the owners on...
( Available in French only )
Les contrats CCDC 2 2020 et ACC 1 2021 : Des contrats respectueux de la réalité juridique québécoise?
À la mi-décembre, le Comité canadien des documents contractuels (CCDC) et l’Association canadienne de la construction (ACC) ont procédé au lancement de deux nouveaux contrats‑types destinés à occuper une place importante au sein de l’industrie : les contrats à forfait CCDC 2...
Performance Bonds – What do they really cover?
It is common practice in the construction industry to use contract documents and performance bonds to allocate risk appropriately between owners and contractors. Owners often require that contractors provide a performance bond from a recognized surety as a condition to...
( Available in French only )
Appel d’offres public : impact d’une clause de rejet automatique
Journal Constructo – 13 décembre 2021 Introduction Le 26 novembre dernier, la Cour d’appel se prononçait sur la qualification d’une dérogation affectant la soumission d’un entrepreneur dans le cadre d’un appel d’offres public, soit le fait de ne pas avoir joint...
Potential Timelines for Implementation of Bill 37, the Builders’ Lien (Prompt Payment) Amendment Act, 2020
Bill 37, the Builders’ Lien (Prompt Payment) Amendment Act, 2020, received royal assent on December 9, 2020 and will come into force on proclamation. The original timeline for proclamation was the summer of 2021; however, the season came and went...
New Occupational Health and Safety Act in Alberta: Changes to owners’ obligations
Alberta’s new Occupational Health and Safety Act came into force on December 1, 2021.[1] The new Occupational Health and Safety Act, SA 2020, c O-2.2 (the “New Act”) repeals the former Occupational Health and Safety Act, SA 2017 c O-2.1...
Agreements subject to environmental conditions: A cautionary tale
A recent decision from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice provides a cautionary tale for those who engage in agreements subject to an environmental remediation condition. Background: 384130 Ontario Limited v. 520611 Ontario Limited In 2003, the plaintiff entered into...
