The Corporation of the Municipality of Meaford v Grist,
2011 ONS C 5195 (Released September 21, 2011)
The Superior Court granted summary judgment dismissing the
Township's action for declaratory relief against its residents
in a dispute over the ownership of a strip of land running along
the Georgian Bay shoreline. Although the motions for summary
judgment were brought by only some of the defendants, the Court
dismissed the plaintiff's action as against all defendants.
The defendants owned cottage lots located on Georgian Bay. The
disputed road, which the Township asserted had been established by
a pre-Confederation by-law in 1854 ("By-law
11") ran through the defendants' properties
immediately adjacent to the water's edge. By-law 11 was not
registered on title in respect of any land until after 2004, when
it was discovered by the Township in the basement of the municipal
offices. Upon discovery of By-law 11, the Township passed By-law
80-2007 which purported to