Soloway Wright LLP

Did you properly exercise your lease renewal option—and could it still be challenged?

Soloway Wright successfully argued that the tenant had properly exercised its renewal option under the lease. The Court agreed, confirming the renewal was valid and enforceable.
In Parthenos Development Ltd. v. 2599792 Ontario Inc. et al., 2026 ONSC 3128, the Court dismissed the landlord’s application to terminate the pharmacy’s lease.

This decision is a helpful reminder of the importance of carefully drafting and strictly complying with lease renewal provisions in commercial tenancy agreements.

View the Court’s judgment here: https://solowaywright.com/reasons-for-judgment-cv-25-100695-parthenos-v-2599792-ontario-inc-may-29-2026-somji-j/

For assistance with commercial leasing disputes, contact Stephane MacLean and our litigation team: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/stephane-maclean/

Can workplace gossip by management create legal liability?

A recent Ontario arbitration decision confirms that the answer can be yes, particularly when frequent and/or pervasive.

While poisoned work environments are often associated with harassment, bullying, or discrimination, this case highlights how persistent workplace gossip by those in positions of authority is unwelcome, and can cause a toxic workplace environment.

The Arbitrator found that a senior leader's ongoing pattern of negative and demeaning comments about employees created a psychologically unsafe workplace contrary to Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The decision serves as an important reminder that leaders set the tone for workplace culture. When management has a habit of gossiping about employees, even if they do not initiate those conversations, it can make employees uncomfortable and cause them to fear that they are also the subject of workplace gossip.

Employers should ensure managers understand their responsibilities to maintain professionalism, protect employee personal and professional information, and foster a respectful workplace environment.

Learn more in our latest article by Shannon Sweeney: https://solowaywright.com/news/a-recent-arbitration-decision-confirms-that-gossip-by-management-can-lead-to-employer-liability/

A common misconception in fixed-price construction contracts is that progress payments are based on a contractor’s or subcontractor’s incurred costs. In most cases, they are not.

Instead, progress payments are generally tied to the percentage of contracted work completed relative to the contract price. Unless the contract provides otherwise, payment for supplies and pre-installation fabrication work is typically not due until installation occurs.

The key question is simple: What portion of the contracted work has been completed?

Understanding how payment entitlement is assessed can help avoid disputes and manage project cash flow more effectively.

If you have questions about construction contracts, progress payments, or payment disputes, reach out to Ryan Stubbs and the Construction Law team at Soloway Wright: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/ryan-stubbs/

Soloway Wright was proud to have attended and sponsored the County of Carleton Law Association Gala on June 12.

It was a fantastic evening connecting with members of Ottawa’s legal community, celebrating the profession, and supporting one of the region’s premier legal events. With strong attendance from litigators, judges, and legal professionals across the city, the Gala provided valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships and engage with colleagues old and new.

Thank you to the County of Carleton Law Association for hosting another successful event. We look forward to continuing our support in the years ahead.

What could the emerging Build Canada Homes (B*H) initiative mean for the residential construction industry?

Join Soloway Wright's very own Todd Storms and Cathy Mitchell, Mortgage Specialist at BMO, for an informative Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association webinar exploring the legal, financing, and practical considerations surrounding this evolving initiative.
Topics include:
✔️ Project eligibility
✔️ Agreements & partnerships
✔️ Financing considerations
✔️ Municipal approvals
✔️ Compliance requirements
✔️ Construction lien & holdback considerations

📅 Thursday, June 18, 2026
🕐 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Whether you're a builder, developer, or industry professional, this session will help you better understand the opportunities and risks as B*H continues to take shape.

Click here to register: https://members.gohba.ca/event-calendar/Details/navigating-the-federal-buidling-program-1728578?sourceTypeId=Website

Click here to learn more about Todd Storms and Soloway Wright's Construction Law practice: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/todd-storms/

Technical Defects in a S. 244 Notice Won't Always De-Rail a Receivership Application
In Lozovski v. Equityline Mortgage Investment Corp., 2026 ONSC 1611, the Ontario Superior Court reinforced an important principle with respect to s. 244 notices in insolvency proceedings: courts may look beyond technical deficiencies where no real prejudice has occurred.

The respondent argued that a section 244 Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act notice was defective because it failed to name both co-creditors. The Court rejected the argument, finding that the purpose of a section 244 notice is to provide an insolvent debtor with an opportunity to negotiate and reorganize its financial affairs. There was no evidence that the alleged defect prevented the respondent from doing so. As a result, the technical deficiency did not bar the appointment of a receiver.

The decision serves as a reminder that courts may prioritize substance over form where procedural irregularities do not cause substantial injustice.

If you have questions about insolvency, receiverships, or creditor remedies, reach out to Nick Kruiper and the team at Soloway Wright: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/nick-kruiper/

Soloway Wright was honoured to be the Networking Hole Sponsor at the Ottawa Construction Association Spring Golf Tournament on June 9 in support of The Ottawa Hospital - L'Hôpital d'Ottawa Foundation.

It was a hot but fantastic day on the links! Our team enjoyed golfing and connecting with golfers at our networking hole through construction-themed trivia, branded golf ball and pen giveaways, and great conversations with members of Ottawa's construction community.

Thank you to the organizers, sponsors, volunteers, and participants who helped make the event a success. We already looking forward to next year!
https://solowaywright.com/service/construction-law/

Ontario’s new Municipal Accountability Act, 2026 has received Royal Assent and signals significant changes to municipal governance and council accountability.

Key proposed changes include:
• A provincially prescribed standardized municipal code of conduct.
• A new process that could allow for the removal of council members for discreditable conduct
following an Integrity Commissioner review, subject to a unanimous council vote.

While the legislation is not yet in force, municipalities should be aware of the evolving accountability framework and prepare for potential changes ahead.

Our team will continue monitoring the proclamation of the legislation and any forthcoming regulations.

For guidance on how these changes may affect your municipality, development project, or organization, contact Tamara Belley and the Municipal, Land Development & Expropriation team: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/tamara-belley/

Do employers have to investigate workplace harassment if no formal complaint is made?

The answer may surprise you. Employers can have a legal duty to investigate workplace harassment even when concerns are raised informally, anonymously, or when an employee does not wish to participate in a formal complaint process.

In a recent article, Mareike explores key obligations under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act and Human Rights Code, including recent court decisions that reinforce an employer's responsibility to act once it becomes aware of potential workplace harassment.

Read the article to learn what triggers the duty to investigate, how anonymous complaints should be handled, and the risks of failing to act: https://solowaywright.com/news/investigating-workplace-harassment-is-a-formal-complaint-necessary/

If you need guidance navigating workplace investigations, contact Mareike and the Workplace Investigations team at Soloway Wright: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/mareike-van-nieuwkoop/

Soloway Wright was proud to sponsor Ottawa Move for Sight 2026 this past Saturday at Sir Robert Borden High School.

This inspiring national event supports Fighting Blindness Canada and its mission to fund critical vision research, advance treatments, and raise awareness for Canadians affected by vision loss.

Thank you to the organizers, participants, volunteers, and sponsors who helped make the day a success. We are honoured to support such an important cause and the incredible work being done to create a brighter future for those living with vision loss: https://www.fightingblindness.ca/