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Practice Highlights


Stephen’s practice is centred on municipal, planning, environmental and expropriation law. He regularly appears before municipal councils, tribunals (such as the Ontario Municipal Board and the Environmental Review Tribunal) and Courts on behalf of municipalities, public agencies and institutions, land developers and ratepayers’ associations. His portfolio includes a wide  range of matters including Federal and Provincial environmental assessments, approvals related to landfills, telecommunication structures, Municipal and wide  area fiber optic and wireless networks (MAN’s  and WAN’s), permissions for electric generating facilities, real estate  development, compensation for land expropriations, conflict of interest, and related litigation.

Education

  • Juris Doctor, Osgoode Hall Law School

Professional Accreditations and Affiliations

  • The Canadian Bar Association – Municipal and Environmental Law Sections
  • Public Affairs Association of Canada
  • Ontario Expropriation Association

Additional Information

In addition to his legal training, Stephen also acted as an assistant to Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau from 1978-80 and as a consultant to Premier David R. Peterson of Ontario.

*Stephen Joseph D’Agostino Law Professional Corporation

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    • OMB dismisses appeal of Kawartha Lakes ward boundary revision to eight wards

      MyKawartha.com | by Mary Riley | October 12, 2017

      LINDSAY – The Ontario Municipal Board has dismissed a Sebright man’s appeal of the City of Kawartha Lakes’ decision to reduce the number of wards in the municipality from 16 to eight. OMB member David Lanthier heard the appeal in August and This Week was provided with a copy of the decision on Wednesday (Oct. … Continued

    • Best Lawyers in Canada 2018

      Posted August 22, 2017

      Published annually by Best Lawyers®, The Best Lawyers in Canada is one of the country’s most highly regarded legal directories. Inclusion is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey and a thorough authentication process. We are proud to announce that the following 17 lawyers from Thomson, Rogers were selected for inclusion in 12th Edition of The … Continued

    • After their mother’s death, siblings make a last-ditch effort to buy back her home

      Toronto Star | by Victoria Gibson, Stephen D'Agostino quoted | July 31st 2017

      When Joyce Anna Scott died in May, she died a tenant of a home she’d spent half her life trying to buy back from the government. Now, her kids are making a last-ditch effort to keep the four-hectare farm they grew up on. Despite living there since 1958, the house hasn’t belonged to their parents … Continued

    • New Transition Rules for New Growth Plan

      Growth Plan 2017 Comes Into Effect on July 1, 2017 in Most Cases

      On June 28, 2017, the Ontario Government approved amendments to Regulation 311/06 which provide for transition between the old and new Growth Plans. The rules cover: Official Plans; Zoning Bylaws; Approval of Site Plan Control Areas; Minor Variances; and, Subdivisions and Consents. Generally, the new transition rules provide that applications commenced after June 16, 2006, … Continued

    • Stephen D’Agostino honoured to present Award of Academic Excellence in Municipal Law

      On June 12th, Thomson Rogers’  municipal lawyer Stephen D’Agostino will be presenting the Academic Excellence in Municipal Law Award at the 79th Annual Meeting & Professional Development Institute as part of AMCTO‘s Opening Ceremonies. Stephen will be presenting this award to Ms. June E. Gallagher, Deputy Clerk for the Municipality of Clarington at Deerhurst Resort in … Continued

    • Ontario’s New Growth Plan In Effect July 1, 2017

      New Growth Plan,Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Niagara Escarpment Plan Announced Today Announced Today

      The Ontario Government today released updates to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan. According to the Province, “these plans work together to: Build compact, complete communities with a diverse range of housing options that better connect transit to where people live and … Continued

    • Proud Supporter of 2016 Youth Summer Program (YSP)

      Thomson, Rogers is a proud supporter of the 2016 Youth Summer Program (“YSP”). Law in Action Within Schools Programs (LAWS) is an innovative program supported by the University of Toronto Faculty of Law School in partnership with the Toronto District School Boards designed to deliver an education program aimed at supporting, guiding and motivating high school … Continued

    • Meet Stephen D’Agostino – Municipal Lawyer

      Watch this short biography video and get to know municipal lawyer Stephen D’Agostino, a partner at the Toronto law firm of Thomson Rogers. This is Stephen’s story in his own words. Learn about the person behind the lawyer – why he chose law, what he is passionate about, and why he is the best choice … Continued

    • Highland Gate Ratepayers Association ready to ‘go to war’ over proposed Aurora development

      Yorkregion.com | by Teresa Latchford, Stephen D'Agostino quoted | June 16, 2016

      At a recent Highland Gate Ratepayers Association (HGRPA) meeting, the association’s legal counsel, Stephen D’Agostino announced the association would also attempt to engage in OMB-led mediation with the developer to iron out some concerns such as new construction matching the current character of the existing neighbourhood and narrow roads. “If all parties agree we can … Continued

    • Coun. Justin Di Ciano skips rezoning vote that benefits developer he has ties to

      CBC.ca | by Jennifer Fowler, Stephen D'Agostino quoted | June 9, 2016

      Justin Di Ciano wasn’t present at a city council meeting Wednesday where his colleagues approved a controversial land planning report that will benefit a developer with whom the Etobicoke councillor has had ties. It’s unclear why Di Ciano, who told councillors earlier this week that he was looking forward to the debate and had been cleared of any potential conflict … Continued

    • Condo owners could face expensive legal fees for short term rentals

      GlobalNews.ca | by Mark McAllister, Stephen D'Agostino quoted |April 29, 2016

      Many condo declarations set out rules for renting units and those who don’t abide by them could be taken to court by condo boards. Stephen D’Agostino, partner with Toronto law firm Thomson, Rogers, comments in the news video clip above: Enforcing it is quite difficult. It is very similar to the situation with Uber. You … Continued

    • Condo owners fear expropriation by city because of library redevelopment

      GlobalNews.ca | by Mark McAllister, Stephen D'Agostino quoted | April 21, 2016

      The redevelopment of the Dawes Road Library has condo owners who live above the facility angry. They have been given notice from city officials to move in order to accommodate the redevelopment. Thomson, Rogers’ Stephen D’Agostino and Denitza Koev, expropriation lawyers, represent the condo owners. They are not in favor of this. They much prefer … Continued

    • Developer modifies Highland Gate development proposal

      Aurora Banner | by Chris Simon, Stephen D'Agostino quoted | March 23, 2016

      The proposed Highland Gate development is shrinking. The developer overseeing the 41-hectare Golf Links Drive proposal announced plans to amend the project during the first day of Ontario Municipal Board pre-hearings at Aurora Town Hall Tuesday. If approved by the board, the proposed 10-storey, 144-unit apartment would shrink to seven storeys, while the total number … Continued

    • Metrolinx expropriates Toronto family’s Eglinton Ave. property

      CBC News | Stephen D'Agostino comments | June 2, 2015

      “In a situation where you’re dealing with a piece of land, for example, where the owner has moved away, where there’s been neglect of the property, that sort of thing you might expect a newspaper notice,” D’Agostino said. “But not when there’s an active business on the property.” View source article.    For more information … Continued

    • Hope for businesses affected by construction to get money back

      Global News | April 8, 2015

      View media source. 

    • As Fords exit mayor’s office, conflict probes intensify

      CBC News | by Zach Dubinsky, Stephen D'Agostino quoted | November 24, 2014

      When Toronto city councillors were debating a zoning change in 2011, Doug Ford withdrew from the discussion because it could have affected a property leased by packaged-meats giant Maple Leaf Foods — a major client of his family printing business. But then when the matter came up weeks later for final approval at city council, … Continued

    • Does the city of Toronto have a case against Uber?

      Breakfast Television |Stephen D'Agostino is interviewed | November 19, 2014

      Breakfast Television’s Kevin Frankish interviews Thomson, Rogers’ municipal lawyer Stephen D’Agostino about Toronto’s effort to shut down or better regulate Uber. The city of Toronto has a municipal code, it regulates taxi brokerages and taxi licenses. The definition of brokerages is very broad, it essentially says, if you send a taxi to pick someone up … Continued

    • Don’t like your councillor? Most Torontonians want recall legislation

      GlobalNews.ca | October 20, 2014

      TORONTO –After years of gridlock, transit delays and scandals, a large majority of Torontonians want recall legislation, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll done exclusively for Global News. Eighty-seven per cent of the 1,252 polled by Ipsos Reid agreed Torontonians should be able to remove politicians from office if they don’t have confidence in … Continued

    • John Tory’s airport dilemma: Would conflict of interest keep him out of the debate?

      TheStar.com | October 9, 2014

      View PDF of article.

    • Torontonians split on value of tax dollars – but should we pay more?

      GlobalNews.ca | October 1, 2014

      View media source.

      • Wireless Telecommunications

        Thomson, Rogers has acted on behalf of wireless telecommunications carriers since the mid-90s. Our involvement has focused on providing guidance on municipal issues including compliance with the municipal consultation requirements of Industry Canada’s CPC-2-0-03. Understanding the technology as well as the law is important for land-use authorities and the public involved in consultations related to … 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