Court Of Appeal Summaries (May 19 ' 23, 2025)

• Published date: 27 May 2025
• Law Firm: Blaney McMurtry LLP
• Author: Mr John Polyzogopoulos

Good afternoon.
Following are our summaries of the civil decisions of the Court of Appeal for Ontario for the week of May 19 to 23, 2025.

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In J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v Greater Essex County District School Board, the Court allowed the appeal from the motion judge's dismissal of an application to appoint an arbitrator under an arbitration agreement. The failure to request a mediation within 30 days of a dispute arising, as set out in the contract's dispute resolution provisions did not result in a forfeiture of the arbitration clause. The Court ordered the parties to go to mediation, failing which an arbitration could proceed.

In Stolove v. Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, the appellants sought to certify a class action alleging systemic negligence and punitive use of seclusion at a forensic psychiatric hospital. The Court dismissed the appeal from the motion judge's dismissal of the certification motion, finding no common issues of systemic wrongdoing and confirming that individualized assessments were required. The Court also upheld the dismissal of negligence claims against individual respondents and affirmed a large, almost $2 million costs award against the appellants (which will presumably be covered by class counsel).

In York Region Standard Condominium Corporation No. 972 v Lee, the Court adjusted the amount of a condo lien registered by a board against a unit owner.

In 1803275 Ontario Limited v. Deerbourne Estates Corporation, the Court dismissed a motion to extend the time to seek leave to appeal a costs award in a mortgage action.

Wishing everyone an enjoyable weekend.

John Polyzogopoulos
Blaney McMurtry LLP
416.593.2953 Email

Table of Contents

Civil Decisions

J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v. Greater Essex County District School Board, 2025 ONCA 378

Keywords: Contracts, Interpretation, Dispute Resolution Clauses, Arbitration Clauses, Enforcement, Civil Procedure, Arbitrations,Applications toAppointment Arbitrator, Arbitration Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 17, s. 10(1), Ledcor Construction Ltd. v. Northbridge Indemnity Insurance Co., 2016 SCC 37, Deslaurier Custom Cabinets Inc. v. 1728106 Ontario Inc., 2017 ONCA 293, Mantini v. Smith Lyons LLP (2003), 64 O.R. (3d) 505 (C.A.), Huras v. Primerica Financial Services Ltd. (2001), 55 O.R. (3d) 449 (C.A.), Patel v. Kanbay International Inc., 2008 ONCA 867, Dalimpex Ltd. v. Janicki (2003), 64 O.R. (3d) 737 (C.A.), Geoff R. Hall, Canadian Contractual Interpretation Law, 4th ed. (Toronto: LexisNexis Canada, 2020)

Stolove v. Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, 2025 ONCA 376

Keywords: Torts, Negligence, Crown Liability, Systemic Negligence, Hospitals, Corporations, Vicarious Liability, Officers, Personal Liability, Civil Procedure, Class Proceedings, Certification, Common Issues, Costs, Class Proceedings Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 6, ss. 5(1)(c) and 31, Public Hospitals Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.40, Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010, S.O. 2010, c. 15, Health Care Consent Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 2, s. 7, Sched. A, Substitute Decisions Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 30, Mental Health Act, R.S.O 1990, c. M.7, Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, Part XX.1 (Mental Disorder), Family Law Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.3, s. 61(1), Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, ss. 7 and 12, Cloud v. Canada (Attorney General) (2004), 73 O.R. (3d) 401 (C.A.), ADGA Systems International Ltd. v. Valcom Ltd. (1999), 43 O.R. (3d) 101 (C.A.), ScotiaMcLeod Inc. v. Peoples Jewellers Ltd. (1995), 26 O.R. (3d) 481 (C.A.), Hollick v. Toronto (City), 2001 SCC 68, Western Canadian Shopping Centres Inc. v. Dutton, 2001 SCC 46, Hodge v. Neinstein, 2017 ONCA 494, Conway v. Fleming, [1996] O.J. No. 1242 (Gen. Div.), Fehr v. Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2018 ONCA 718, Pearson v. Inco. Ltd. (2005), 78 O.R. (3d) 641 (C.A.), Lilleyman v. Bumble Bee Foods LLC, 2024 ONCA 606, PMC York Properties Inc. v. Siudak, 2022 ONCA 635, Jensen v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., 2023 FCA 89, Palmer v. Teva, 2024 ONCA 220, Pioneer Corp. v. Godfrey, 2019 SCC 42, Rumley v. British Columbia, 2001 SCC 69, Banman v. Ontario, 2023 ONSC 6187, Cirillo v. Ontario, 2021 ONCA 353, Thorburn v. British Columbia (Public Safety and Solicitor General), 2013 BCCA 480, Hamilton v. Open Window Bakery Ltd., 2004 SCC 9, Boucher v. Public Accountants Counsel for the Province of Ontario (2004), 71 O.R. (3d) 291 (C.A.), Barbour v. Bailey, 2016 ONCA 334, Banman v. Ontario, 2023 ONSC 7187, Cavanaugh v. Grenville Christian College, 2012 ONSC 4786, Pearson v. Inco Ltd. (2006), 79 O.R. (3d) 427 (C.A.)

York Region Standard Condominium Corporation No. 972 v. Lee, 2025 ONCA 385

Keywords: Real Property, Condominiums, Remedies, Compliance Orders, Liens, Civil Procedure, Reasonable Apprehension of Bias, Costs, Condominium Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c.19, s. 134(5), Barendregt v. Grebliunas, 2022 SCC 22, R. v. Colley, 2024 ONCA 524, R. v. S. (R.D.), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 484, Ly Innovative Group Inc. v. Facilitate Settlement Corporation, 2025 ONCA 194, Toronto Standard Condominium Corporation No. 1633 v. Baghai Development Limited, 2012 ONCA 417, Metropolitan Toronto Condominium Corp. No. 1385 v. Skyline Executive Properties Inc. (2005), 253 D.L.R. (4th) 656 (Ont. C.A.), York Region Standard Condominium Corporation No. 972 v. Lee, 2021 ONCA 914

1803275 Ontario Limited v. Deerbourne Estates Corporation, 2025 ONCA 390

Keywords: Contracts, Real Property, Mortgages, Civil Procedure, Costs, Leave to Appeal, Extension of Time, Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 61.03.1(3),(6), Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43, s. 133(b), Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. v. Froese, 2013 ONCA 131, Liu v. Chan, 2024 ONCA 699, Robson v. Law Society of Ontario, 2023 ONCA 709, Hobbs v. Hobbs, 2008 ONCA 598, R. v. Salifu, 2023 ONCA 590, R. v. Reid, 2016 ONCA 524, Hamilton v. Open Window Bakery Ltd., 2004 SCC 9

Short Civil Decisions

Winter v. Winter Estate, 2025 ONCA 384

Keywords: Wills and Estates, Contracts, Interpretation, Minutes of Settlement, Hansen Estate v. Hansen, 2012 ONCA 112

MarshallZehr Group Inc. v. Zukowski, 2025 ONCA 382

Keywords: Contracts, Debtor-Creditor, Guarantees, Civil Procedure, Summary Judgment, Evidence, Cross-Examination, Rules of Civil Procedure r. 39.03(3), Halton Standard Condominium Corporation No. 550 v. Del Ridge (Appleby) Inc., 2023 ONCA 753, Lax v. Lax (2004), 70 O.R. (3d) 520 (Ont. C.A.), C.M. Callow Inc. v. Zollinger, 2020 SCC 45

CIVIL DECISIONS

J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v. Greater Essex County District School Board, 2025 ONCA 378

[Rouleau, van Rensburg and Gomery JJ.A.]

Counsel:

D. Milosevic and A. Moslehi, for the appellant

J. Smith, for the respondent

Keywords: Contracts, Interpretation, Dispute Resolution Clauses, Arbitration Clauses, Enforcement, Civil Procedure, Arbitrations, Applications to Appointment Arbitrator, Arbitration Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 17, s. 10(1), Ledcor Construction Ltd. v. Northbridge Indemnity Insurance Co., 2016 SCC 37, Deslaurier Custom Cabinets Inc. v. 1728106 Ontario Inc., 2017 ONCA 293, Mantini v. Smith Lyons LLP (2003), 64 O.R. (3d) 505 (C.A.), Huras v. Primerica Financial Services Ltd. (2001), 55 O.R. (3d) 449 (C.A.), Patel v. Kanbay International Inc., 2008 ONCA 867, Dalimpex Ltd. v. Janicki (2003), 64 O.R. (3d) 737 (C.A.), Geoff R. Hall, Canadian Contractual...