Practice Highlights

Al’s practice focuses on municipal law, environmental approvals, land use planning and expropriation. Al appears before municipal councils, tribunals (such as the Environmental Review Tribunal, the Ontario Municipal Board and the Board of Negotiation) and Courts on behalf of municipalities, corporations and private individuals on a variety of matters including expropriation, land development issues, contaminated lands, telecommunications, municipal-by-laws and aggregate resources.

Al spent a year at the City of Hamilton as one of their environmental counsel.

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Urban Geography, McGill University (1996)
  • Bachelor of Laws, Osgoode Hall Law School (2000)
  • Masters in Environmental Studies, York University (2000)

Additional Information

Professional Activities and Affiliations

  • Ontario Bar Association – Municipal and Environmental Sections
  • The Advocates’ Society
  • Ontario Expropriation Association
  • Editor of the Ontario Municipal Board Reports
  • Canadian Association of Black Lawyers

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  • Whitchurch-Stouffville (Town) v. Bolender, 2015 ONCA 533

  • Moosa v. Hill Property Management Group Ltd., 2014 ONSC 3717

  • 2167534 Ontario Inc. et al v. Woolwich (Township), February 1, 2013 OMB File No. PL110809

  • Ultramar Ltd. et al v. Director, Ministry of the the Environment, February 25, 2009 ERT Case nos. 07-127 to 07-134

  • Canadian Hydro Developers Ins. v. Amaranth (Township) 59 O.M.B.R 229 (2008)

  • Telus Communications Co. v. City of Toronto, 84 O.R. (3d) 656 (2007)

  • Richmond Hill (Town) Official Plan Redesignate Lands Amendment (Re) [2006] O.M.B.D. No. 1252

  • Township of Limerick et al. v. Trident Members Inc. 52 O.M.B.R. 77 (2005)

  • Shpka Estate v. Ontario (Management Board of Cabinet), 87 LCR 56, 87 LCR 149 (2005)

  • Lionheart Enterprises Ltd. et al. v. Town of Richmond Hill (No. 2) 46 O.M.B.R. 375 (2004)

  • Peat moss business wins appeal over town

    Stouffville Sun-Tribune | by Sandra Bolan, quoting Al Burton | December 17, 2015

    Is it a peat moss extraction/triple mix business or a waste disposal/transfer site? For two years, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and resident Paul Bolender have been having this argument in court. Bolender contends his business on Hwy. 48, just north of Vandorf Road – Bolender Excavating and Garden Supplies – is a peat moss extraction/triple … Continued

  • Peat moss business wins appeal over town

    Stouffville Sun-Tribune | by Sandra Bolan, quoting Al Burton | December 17, 2015

    Is it a peat moss extraction/triple mix business or a waste disposal/transfer site? For two years, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and resident Paul Bolender have been having this argument in court. Bolender contends his business on Hwy. 48, just north of Vandorf Road – Bolender Excavating and Garden Supplies – is a peat moss extraction/triple … Continued

  • Case Comment: Vincor Financial Limited v. Oxford (County)

    OBA Newsletter | January 19, 2015

    In a decision released on December 8, 2014, the Court of Appeal has confirmed that the expropriation of property from one private landowner and subsequent transfer of those lands to another private landowner does not constitute an illegal bonus under s. 106 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25. Section 106 prohibits a … Continued

  • Municipal Conflict of Interest and Reputation Management

    May 25, 2009

    Conflict of interest and reputation management are important topics for municipal Councilors in Ontario. The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act contains strict rules regulating a Councilor’s participation in matters in which they have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest. Councilors who offend the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act face significant consequences including the risk of … Continued