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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  • 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

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    Watch this short biography video and get to know municipal lawyer Stephen D’Agostino, a partner with the Toronto law firm of Thomson Rogers. 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 … 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

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  • 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

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  • Markham tackles static over cell towers

    YorkRegion.com | May 22, 2014

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  • Frank Meyers’ expropriated farm hosts rally third day in a row

    GlobalNews.ca | By Erika Tucker, Stephen D'Agostino comments | January 14, 2014

    TORONTO – Supporters have gathered for a third consecutive day, demanding 85-year-old Ontario farmer Frank Meyers be able to keep farmland expropriated by the Canadian government. The “Save Frank & Marjorie Meyers Farm” Facebook group was updated Tuesday by creator Lisa Gibson, who posted the farm’s address early in the morning in the hopes of … Continued

  • Demolition to begin on Frank Meyers’ farm amid claims of government bullying

    GlobalNews.ca | by Erika Tucker, Stephen D'Agostino comments | January 13, 2014

    Farmer Frank Meyers is claiming he still owns his family’s farmland because his expropriation agreement with the government was signed under duress. When confronted with Meyers’ accusations of bullying, Public Works spokesperson Pierre-Alain Bujold said only that the government has reached an agreement with the Meyers family regarding compensation for their expropriated land “after lengthy … Continued

  • File Fact: Expropriation rights in Canada

    GlobalNews.ca | by Erika Tucker, Stephen D'Agostino comments | January 13, 2014

    Expropriation is the rule by which the government is allowed to take your land against your will for compensation, said municipal lawyer Stephen D’Agostino. It goes back to confederation in the British Empire, back to the Magna Carta, ” he said in a November interview. “Most levels of government try to buy the land in … Continued

  • Video: Feds expropriate elderly farmer’s family land

    GlobalNews.ca | by Jennifer Tryon, Stephen D'Agostino asked to comment | November 28, 2013

    85-year-old Frank Meyers is fighting to keep the farm that has been in his family for 215 years, as the Department of Defense wants it for DFB Trenton.

    View media source.

     

  • Video: Is Ford’s power loss legal?

    TheLoop.ca | November 19, 2013

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    • 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