October 15, 2008

Bloor Street retailers get day in court for lost revenues caused by construction

TORONTO

The Ontario Divisional Court has heard an application by Bloor Street retailers seeking a delay of the Bloor Street Transformation (BST) Project pending completion by the City of the necessary studies and consultation.

The Court reserved decision. Well-known Toronto lawyer Clayton Ruby, representing retailers, called on the City not to wait for a Court decision.

“We look forward to hearing the decision of the Court and are confident they will rule in favour of delaying the BST Project until the proper study and consultation is completed,” said Ruby. “In the meantime, we call on the City to do the right thing by delaying construction immediately and working with retailers to make the BST Project a success for the whole community.”

Retailers on Bloor Street were concerned because of the Project’s poor planning. Further, the City had not considered the expertise of local retailers or conducted the necessary expert studies of the potential negative impact - economic and otherwise. Aspects of the proposed project were not conducive to retail businesses and would cause irreparable economic losses. In addition, both safety and environmental issues within the existing plan were of serious concern to retailers.

Ruby launched proceedings in August seeking a delay in the construction of the BST Project. Retailers argue that, for a project of this magnitude, provincial law requires extensive economic studies and public consultation, which the City neglected to do.

CANADIAN PRESS

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