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Tom Halinski

Partner Admitted to the Ontario Bar: 1999
People > Tom Halinski

Tom works with his municipal and land development clients, guiding them through the ever-evolving provincial policy framework. His experience as well as thoughtful and thorough preparation make him an effective advocate before administrative tribunals and the courts. Tom is a strategic advisor who is dedicated to keeping his clients informed to ensure that issues are resolved to their satisfaction.

As a member and Practice Group Leader of the Municipal & Land Use Planning Group, Tom's practice is devoted to administrative law. He represents public and private sector clients in the areas of municipal law, residential tenancies, land use planning and development law, expropriations, property tax assessment and freedom of information.

Tom frequently appears before various administrative tribunals, including the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (formerly the Ontario Municipal Board), the Assessment Review Board and the Landlord and Tenant Board. He has broad experience in both advising and representing municipalities as well as advocating for clients before municipal councils, committees of adjustment and conservation authority boards. Tom also appears regularly before the courts in appellate matters and on applications.

Other Languages

Polish

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada in Municipal Law

Professional Involvement

Memberships

  • Canadian Property Tax Association
  • Institute of Municipal Assessors
  • Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario
  • Ontario Expropriation Association
  • Association of Power Producers of Ontario

Selected Speaking Engagements

Co-speaker with John Mascarin, "Municipal Case Law Update 2019," AMCTO Annual Conference (June 10-11, 2019).

Speaker, "Legalizing Marijuana: A Budding Issue," CFAA Rental Housing Conference (June 8, 2017).

Co-speaker with Jody Johnson, “Municipal Finance, Keys to Success," AMCTO Annual Conference (June 13-15, 2016).

Annual Co-speaker with Robert Doumani and Patrick Harrrington, "RTA Refresher Course, Case Law Update," FRPO RTA Seminar (2009 - 2016).

Speaker, "Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan & the Greenbelt Plan - Municipal Perspective on the 10-Year Review," OBA Institute Municipal and Planning Law (February 5, 2015).

Speaker, "Highest and Best Use, Focusing on Commercial, Industrial and High Density Residential Seminar," IMA Districts, 3&4 Meetings (April and May 2014).

Speaker, "When are Rules not Rules: A Review of Ontario Municipal Board Cases Interpreting its Rules," Law Society of Upper Canada, Six-Minute Municipal Lawyer (May 14, 2013).

Speaker, "Zoning Reform for Toronto's Apartment Buildings," 24th Annual PM Expo (November 29, 2012).

Speaker, Law Society Program: 9th Annual Real Estate for Law Clerks (October 13, 2010).

Selected Publications

Tom is a regular contributor to the Digest of Municipal & Planning Law and Municipal World. In addition, he is a contributor to the Ontario Municipal Act, 2001 and Commentary (LexisNexis).

Insights

Publications Article Dec 07, 2018 Government of Ontario Announces Proposed Changes to the Planning Act
Publications Newsletter Aug 16, 2017 The Cannabis Act and Residential Tenancies
Publications Newsletter Jun 28, 2017 Municipal & Planning Law Bulletin - Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Bill 139
Publications Newsletter May 16, 2017 Municipal Law Bulletin - Key Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act and the New Tax Regimes Under Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan

Education

  • LLB, Osgoode Hall Law School, 1997
  • BA (Hons), Political Science and Russian Literature, McGill University, 1994

Expertise

Industries