ForestWhile a group of area campers has won yet another legal battle in their fight over rent increase limits for their properties north of here – the battle might not yet be over … but as far as Toronto lawyer Bob Doumani is concerned it should the the end of the matter. The Court of Appeal of Ontario has backed up an earlier Divisional Court and Landlord and tenant Board finding in favour of the campers that their rent increases be limited to those allowed under the rent control act – and not fall under the Planning Act as had been argued by their landlord, Michipicoten Forest Resources. The case was argued on the same grounds as the Supreme Court ruled infavour of, in the case of Matthews vs Algoma Timberlakes Corp almost ten years ago – by Bob Doumani … who says he’s disappointed this five member panel didn’t end the matter once and for all:

… so for now, the door remains open for the landlord to appeal again to the Supreme Court … or appeal to the province to change the legislation, which would have far reaching impact on tenants of all kinds across Ontario. Doumani has successfully argued both cases. He was disappointed that the Court of Appeal hearing the Michipicoten case did close the matter entirely. But he did manage to win the campers a rollback on the excessive rents they were charged the past 3 or 4 years … although there will be a refund for only one year:

… The campers were also awarded $12,000 towards their legal costs … which is far short of what they’ve been forced to pay out.