Entrée en vigueur de la Loi fédérale sur le paiement rapide des travaux de construction
La Loi fédérale sur le paiement rapide des travaux de construction[1] (« Loi ») est entrée en vigueur le 9 décembre 2023. Celle-ci a pour objet de promouvoir la réalisation ordonnée et en temps opportun des projets de construction portant sur des immeubles ou […]
Construction estimates and consumer protection legislation
A recent case from Ontario has established that consumer protection legislation applies to consumer construction contracts in that province. The case, which is discussed below, is not an appellate case and as such is not binding on Alberta courts. However, […]
Justice will be swift: Alberta’s new streamlined trial process
The Alberta Court of King’s Bench recently announced that as of January 1, 2024, a new streamlined trial procedure for civil and family matters will come into effect.[1] This new “streamlined trial” format has the potential to resolve actions more […]
L’importance de suivre « l’approche standard » en matière de privilèges de la construction
Dans la récente décision Avli BRC Developments Inc. v. BMP Construction Management Ltd., 2023 ABCA 147, la Cour d’appel de l’Alberta a confirmé la validité de privilèges inscrits par des sous-traitants, laquelle était contestée en raison d’irrégularités lors de l’enregistrement. Contexte […]
« Ah! Ah! Vous auriez dû être plus prudent! » ne constitue pas un argument de défense dans une poursuite pour fraude
Depuis plus de 150 ans, la loi indique clairement que toute personne poursuivie pour fraude ne peut invoquer une défense fondée sur l’« absence de diligence raisonnable » ou la « négligence de la victime[1] ». Malgré les nombreux précédents, les parties défenderesses tentent […]
Alberta Court of King’s Bench reaffirms corporate veil test in the construction context
In the 2022 case, Parks v McAvoy, 2022 ABQB 294, the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench (as it then was) evaluated whether a general contracting company’s director could be personally liable for damages when that director had performed work on […]
Alberta’s new prompt payment and construction lien legislation: An overview
On August 29, 2022, the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act, RSA 2000, c P-26.4 (the “Act”), came into force in Alberta. The construction lawyers at Miller Thomson LLP have been preparing for the Act’s implementation for over a year […]
Graham Construction and Engineering Inc v Alberta (Infrastructure): Is Strict Compliance Necessary for a Claim Under the Alberta Public Works Act?
The Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench clarified the requirements for perfecting a claim under Alberta’s Public Works Act, RSA 2000, c P-46 (the “PWA”) in Graham Construction and Engineering Inc v Alberta (Infrastructure), 2021 ABQB 184 [Graham]. This case arose […]
Zerbin v Vrbanek, 2021 ABCA 317: The Alberta Court kicks back at a contractor taking kickbacks
In the Alberta Court of Appeal decision, Zerbin v Vrbanek, 2021 ABCA 317 (“Zerbin”), and the preceding trial decision (Zerbin v Vrbanek, 2020 ABQB 797), the Alberta Courts assessed damages against a general contractor who was bleeding the owners on […]
How long is too long? The dismissal for delay test under Alberta’s Builders’ Lien Act
1361556 Alberta Ltd v Ristorante Cosa Nostra Inc, 2021 ABQB 157 In 1361556 Alberta Ltd v Ristorante Cosa Nostra Inc, 2021 ABQB 157 [Cosa Nostra], the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta addressed the test for dismissal for delay under […]
