Tom Halinski
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Toronto
- Bio
- Awards & Recognition
- Professional Involvement
- Selected Speaking Engagements
- Selected Publications
- Insights
- Education
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 Co-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 Ontario Land Tribunal (formerly the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal), 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 Chambers Canada as a top practitioner in Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (Ontario)
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada in Municipal Law
- Recognized in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a leading lawyer in the area of Property Development
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 2025," AMCTO Annual Conference (June 8-11, 2025).
Co-speaker with John Mascarin, "Municipal Case Law Update 2023," AMCTO Annual Conference (June 13, 2023).
Co-speaker with John Pappas, "A Look into Recent Case Law," Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Seminar, Northern CAO/Clerks' Forum (March 2, 2023).
Co-speaker with Sidonia Tomasella, "GTAA Inclusionary Zoning Webinar," Greater Toronto Apartment Association (November 23, 2021).
Co-speaker with John Mascarin, "Municipal Case Law Update 2021," AMCTO Annual Conference (June 15, 2021).
Speaker, "How to Charge for Visitor Parking," Greater Toronto Airport Association Webinar (October 2, 2020).
Speaker, “Cannabis: Your Rights and Responsibilities as Housing Providers,” 2019 ONPHA Conference & Trade Show (November 1, 2019).
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 Harrington, "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).
Co-Author, "Bill 17 and the Push to Build: How Ontario Plans to Speed Up Development," Aird & Berlis LLP, Municipal & Planning Law Bulletin, May 16, 2025.
Co-Author, "Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024 Receives Royal Assent," Aird & Berlis LLP, Municipal & Planning Law Bulletin, June 7, 2024.
Co-Author, "First Reading of Bill 185 and the Draft 2024 Provincial Planning Statement," Aird & Berlis LLP, Municipal & Planning Law Bulletin, April 12, 2024.
Insights
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PublicationNewsletter
Municipal & Planning Law Bulletin - Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Bill 139
Education
- LLB, Osgoode Hall Law School, 1997
- BA (Hons), Political Science and Russian Literature, McGill University, 1994