About Raymond G. Leclair
Ray Leclair was appointed Vice President, Public Affairs in 2012. He provides input on, implements and reports on all government relations and public affairs-related functions.
Ray started at LAWPRO in 2008 as Vice President, TitlePLUS. Prior to joining LAWPRO, Ray was General Counsel for the Kanata Research Park Corporation and has practised in both major national law firms and as a sole practitioner, and was a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa Law School and Cité Collégiale. Ray was called to the Ontario Bar in 1984 after completing an LL.B. at the University of Ottawa. He received the 2024 OBA Distinguished Service Award and the 2022 OBA Award of Excellence in Real Estate.
Ray frequently speaks on risk management and other legal practice topics in French and English.
Raymond G. Leclair's Posts
A real estate cautionary tale – Tribulations of tax check boxes
The client was buying a multi-million-dollar property, located geographically outside of the lawyer’s usual jurisdiction. Fully doable with province-wide Teraview access and today’s technology. The law office prepared the transfer and land transfer affidavit. The box indicating the transaction was subject to other taxes was checked. However, the lawyer practices in a jurisdiction where there… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateNew Tarion Rule: Purchaser Registration Requirement
To maintain Tarion coverage, purchasers of new freehold homes will need to register their agreement of purchase and sale (APS) within 45 days of entering into the APS, or they could lose some deposit coverage. This requirement comes into effect on July 1, 2025. This new registration requirement for purchasers is meant to assist Tarion… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateVerify the withdrawals from your accounts
LAWPRO has received claims from lawyers who fell victim to fraudsters diverting and depositing cheques meant for their clients. In two cases to date, lawyers issued cheques to their clients as part of their professional services. However, in both cases, an identical amount was withdrawn from the lawyer’s trust account but payable to a third… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionNavigating NOSIs and PPSA: A practical approach for lawyers
Real estate lawyers’ due diligence requirements have changed since the Ontario ban on filing a notice of security interest (NOSI) on financed or leased consumer goods/fixtures in Ontario. This article provides guidance on avoiding unsatisfied clients and understanding secured party claims against a seller’s goods and fixtures registered under the PPSA.
Categories: Real EstateNotice of Security Interest (NOSI) ban effective June 6, 2024
The Ontario Government has passed Bill 200, the Homeowner Protection Act, 2024, in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, which received Royal Assent on June 6, 2024. The Personal Property Security Act was amended to specify that a notice of security interest (NOSI) may not be registered in a land registry office with respect to collateral… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateHow to ensure you have secure funds
[Updated August 2025] Article highlights: 1.For funds to be truly irrevocable, you need a PCRN. Anything else is a risk. 2.Financial institutions that have adopted the Uniform Treatment of Wire Payments have agreed to treat “On-Us” funds (e.g. when the payee and the payor are at different branches of the same financial institution) as irrevocable… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionNotice of fees increase for real estate transactions
As of November 6, 2023, the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery is increasing the fees of certain land registration services, which are adjusted annually by an amount equal to 50 per cent of the Consumer Price Index. The most common fee, for the registration or deposit of an instrument or plan in electronic… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateImportant Reminder: Update to Non-Resident Speculation Tax
Effective October 25, 2022, the Non-Resident Speculation Tax (NRST) rate was increased to 25 per cent from 20 per cent. It applies to the purchase or acquisition of an interest in residential property located anywhere in Ontario by individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, or by foreign corporations or taxable… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate