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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 Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) 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.

Stephen became managing partner of the firm in January of 2019.

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.

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    • Best Lawyers in Canada 2020

      We are proud to announce that 13 Thomson Rogers partners have been selected for inclusion in the 14th Edition of The Best LawyersTM in Canada. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation.  Lawyers are not required or … Continued

    • Toronto Councillors Mark Grimes, Justin Di Ciano Charged Under Municipal Elections Act

      Global News | Reporter Matthew Bingley interviews Stephen D'Agostino | November 16, 2018

      On November 16, 2018, Thomson Rogers’ municipal lawyer, Stephen D’Agostino, was interviewed by Global News reporter Matthew Bingley on the charges laid under the Municipal Elections Act against re-elected Toronto Councillor Mark Grimes and outgoing Councillor Justin Di Ciano for failing to disclose alleged campaign expenses related to their 2014 campaigns. Stephen says: It is … Continued

    • 2018 Halton Children’s Water Festival

      Thomson Rogers will once again be supporting the 2018 Halton Children’s Water Festival. It takes place from September 25-28 at the Kelso Conservation Area in Halton. View Map

      On the 28th two of our associates, Monica Poremba and Gregory Sills will be joining in the festivities.

    • Thomson Rogers Welcomes Two New Associates

      The partners of Thomson Rogers are pleased to announce that Lucy Jackson and Monica Poremba are now associate lawyers with the firm. Lucy Jackson has joined our personal injury advocacy group. She will be working primarily with partner Darcy Merkur and associate John-Paul Zeni. Monica Poremba has joined our municipal and planning group. She will … Continued

    • Best Lawyers in Canada 2019

      We are proud to announce that 16 Thomson Rogers partners have been selected for inclusion in the 13th Edition of The Best LawyersTM in Canada. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Almost 87,000 industry … Continued

    • 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. 

      • 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