As much as Canadian lawyers embrace "modern"
principles of statutory interpretation, old habits die hard. A
recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal, Ontario
Ombudsman v. Hamilton (City), 2018 ONCA 502, illustrates that
the Latin maxims of yesteryear still have resonance and application
when interpreting legislation. In particular, Ontario
Ombudsman breathes life into the Roman principle, ejusdem
generis, meaning "of the same kind or nature".
What is a "Local Board" under the Municipal Act,
2001?
Ontario Ombudsman involved the issue of whether the
Ombudsman of Ontario has jurisdiction under its governing statute
to investigate if the City of Hamilton's Election Compliance
Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee") and the Property
Standards Committee (the "Standards Committee") failed to
comply with an "open meeting" requirement under the
Ontario Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25.
