Baker & Company

05/29/2026

Homeowners in Ontario and British Columbia are increasingly missing their mortgage payments, as higher interest rates make it harder for them to service their debt when they renew their loans.

In Ontario, the delinquency rate on total mortgages outstanding was 0.36 per cent in the first quarter of this year, according to data from Equifax Canada. That is 52 per cent higher than the same period last year.

Higher interest rates fuelling rise in number of homeowners falling behind in payments

05/25/2026

Receiving notice that the government wants to take your property can feel overwhelming, but Ontario property owners have more rights than many realize.

Whether the expropriation is for a highway, transit corridor, utility line, or municipal infrastructure, understanding your legal protections and acting on them can make a significant difference in what you receive.

Our latest blog explains what you need to know: https://ow.ly/FWrZ50Z3p03

Find out what Ontario property owners must know when facing expropriation — your rights, compensation entitlements, and what to do when the government wants your land.

05/12/2026

New data from TRREB points to signs of life in Toronto's condo market, with sales rising 14.4 per cent year-over-year last month.

Prices, however, continued to decline, dropping 6.4 per cent to an average of just over $665,000, raising questions about what the current market means for buyers, sellers, and investors.

https://ow.ly/BkAN50YXFww

Condo sales picked up in April, as lower prices and borrowing costs helped buyers jump into the market. After years of sky-high prices and sluggish sales, one of the country's most expensive housing markets is seeing something of a condo rebound.

05/06/2026

Know a great lawyer looking for their next move? We are hiring!

We're looking for a smart, collegial lawyer (2–5 years) to join our corporate/commercial and real estate practice — junior or senior, with or without a book of business.

Hybrid | Toronto | High-quality work | Supportive team

See the full post or reach out to Mark Baker at [email protected]

https://ow.ly/jO9q50YV6YE

05/05/2026

Families living along Toronto’s waterfront say they’re growing more worried their access to precious green space is about to become more limited, as the Ford government moves to seize a strip of land near the island airport. https://ow.ly/67is50YV3hE

On Thursday, the province tabled legislation to take over the City of Toronto's portion of the tripartite agreement governing Billy Bishop Airport.

04/27/2026

The Ontario Court of Appeal recently dismissed a lawsuit for fire damages because the person who filed it was an undischarged bankrupt. Although his bankruptcy trustee allowed him to keep living in and managing his properties, he did not have the legal right to start a court case on his own.

https://ow.ly/CO7E50YP6Bp

Ruling notes trustee was unaware of filing of action for damages for loss due to fire

04/24/2026

Canada’s spring housing market is off to a slow start in 2026. Despite lower prices over the last few years, home sales in March remained flat as buyers wait for more favourable conditions. New data shows that the market is splitting by region. While expensive areas like Toronto and Vancouver are seeing price drops, more affordable cities like Quebec City and Montreal are seeing growth. High mortgage rates and global economic uncertainty have made many first-time buyers and investors cautious, even as listings stay low.

https://ow.ly/bGAl50YP6tG

Here's where the hot markets are, where investors are still buying, and other insights about Canada's spring real estate market. Read more.

04/21/2026

Volunteers are essential to the success of non-profit organizations and charities across Ontario, yet their involvement introduces unique legal risks. From property damage to liability claims, organizations must navigate potential financial and legal consequences that can extend to directors and officers.

Managing these risks requires a structured framework that protects both the organization and its volunteers. This includes implementing enforceable waivers, maintaining proper insurance coverage, and understanding the common law duty of care and the duty of care established by the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act.

Our latest blog post outlines the essential steps to manage volunteer risk and ensure your organization remains protected while fulfilling its mission.

https://ow.ly/fTVM50YMRmu

Learn how Ontario non-profits can manage volunteer risk through waivers, insurance, and duty of care. Protect your organization and stay compliant.

04/16/2026

The Canadian economy is losing businesses faster than it can create new ones, and it is time for federal and provincial governments to act to reverse this trend, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

A new report by the organization, calls it an “entrepreneurial drought,” which it defines as a year or more in which “business entry rates are strictly lower than business exit rates.”

https://ow.ly/n4bU50YKsst

The Canadian economy is losing businesses faster than it can create new ones, and it is time for governments to act to reverse this trend, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

04/14/2026

The gap between Canada’s richest and poorest grew last year as financial markets gained while interest payouts declined and the job market softened, said Statistics Canada on Monday.

The agency says the income gap, measuring the difference in the share of disposable income between households in the top 40 per cent and those in the bottom 40 per cent, reached 46.7 percentage points in 2025.

Statistics Canada says the income and wealth gaps between Canada’s wealthiest and highest earners and those at the bottom increased throughout last year.

04/09/2026

A recent report from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board indicates a shift in the Greater Toronto Area housing market. March saw 5,039 homes sold, representing a 1.7 percent year-over-year increase and the first rise in sales volume since September. While sales rose 1.4 percent from February on a seasonally adjusted basis, average selling prices continued to trend lower.

https://ow.ly/P0VO50YGtN2

Home sales in the Greater Toronto Area rose on a year-over-year basis in March for the first time in six months, while average selling prices moved lower again, according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board.