Precedent Setting Contempt Finding Against a Municipality

A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found that the Township of Ramara acted in contempt of court by failing to issue required permits: Bertrand v. Township of Ramara, 2026 ONSC 1662.

Contempt of court is a serious legal finding. It occurs when a party deliberately fails to comply with a clear court order, undermining the authority of the court and the rule of law.

In this case, after months of delay and non-compliance, the Court found that Ramara failed to comply with clear orders requiring the issuance of shorewall permits to our clients. The Court rejected the Township’s explanations as “excuses.” This followed an earlier decision in which the Court had already found that Ramara acted in bad faith.

Findings of contempt against municipalities are rare. A municipality in Ontario has not been found in contempt of court for over a decade.

Christopher Lee acted for the successful applicants.

Loopstra Nixon’s Municipal, Land Use Planning & Development Law Group regularly assists clients facing unlawful municipal action or administrative roadblocks. We also advise municipalities across Ontario on complying with legal obligations and court processes.

This decision has also received media coverage in Simcoe News.