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
Operators of short-term rentals in Toronto must register prior to December 31, 2020
Lawyers should be aware of the new short-term rental rules in the City of Toronto in order to advise clients who may be buying a property with the intent of short-term rental. Only registered operators can short-term rent in Toronto. The valid City-issued registration number must be included in all advertised listings (in the format:… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateNEW Registration Process for Paper Documents (Land Registry)
Further to the earlier notice the Director of Titles has provided instructions on how the registration process will function after the closing of the registry office counters as of October 13, 2020. This process will be in effect until Teranet builds online enhancements to OnLand and Teraview to allow paper documents to be submitted online…. Read More »
Categories: Real EstateFederal limitation periods extended
The federal government has passed legislation suspending federal limitation periods from March 13, 2020 to September 13, 2020, or any earlier day fixed by order of the Governor in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice. The Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) was introduced as a Schedule to An Act… Read More »
Categories: Limitations ClaimsNew rules for virtual signing and the winding down of remote signings of wills and powers of attorney
As Ontario continues to respond to COVID-19, the temporary provisions permitting the virtual witnessing of wills and powers of attorney are being wound down. However, the government has introduced new legislation and related regulations to permit the virtual commissioning of oaths or declarations. Remote Virtual Signing of Wills and Powers of Attorney The Reopening Ontario… Read More »
Categories: Announcements, Law Practice Management, Real EstatePlanning Act Emergency Period Suspension Calculator
[NEW revised calculator, please only use the September 24, 2020 version] COVID-19 interrupted the timelines for numerous matters, including many proceedings under the Planning Act. Originally time periods under the Planning Act were suspended based on the general Emergency Period; they were subsequently addressed separately. All time suspensions regarding the Planning Act ceased on June… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateFirm websites being impersonated by fraudsters
LAWPRO has heard from a number of Ontario lawyers that their firm websites have been copied by fraudsters to further their schemes, such as the “inheritance from a long-lost relative” scam or immigration scams overseas. While we have seen these impersonation scams for over a year now, there seems to be another spike lately, perhaps… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionClosing of Registry Office locations as of this Thanksgiving
The Director of Titles has advised that all service counters of all 54 registry offices (Land Titles and Registry) will be closing. There will be a trial period commencing this Thanksgiving with full implementation as of 2021. All registrations will be done via software, email or courier, with full details to be provided later. Most… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateIs any title insurance policy a good policy?
Lawyers have a duty to ensure that their purchaser clients receive good and marketable title to the properties they have contracted to buy. In particular, there is an expectation that any prior mortgages will be discharged and removed from title. Imagine the scenario where your search of title discloses an old mortgage that has never… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, The TitlePLUS Program & Title Insurance