St. Catharines v. Al-Kadhee – Closing Order Application Unburdens Community Of Problem House

Properties that serve as hubs for criminal activity can be extremely problematic for municipalities to address. Despite police enforcement, property standards, fire code violations enforcement and landlord/tenant law, problem properties often continue to persist. Applying for injunctive relief under the provisions of the Municipal Act, 2001 is often a more effective, although infrequently-used solution.

In September 2025, Barry Cox, counsel with Boghosian + Allen LLP, was successful in bringing a court application for a Closing Order pursuant to s.447.1 Municipal Act, 2001 for a "drug house" in St. Catharines on the basis that it constituted an ongoing and deleterious effect on the surrounding community. The court's decision in this matter is reported in Corporation of the City of St. Catharines v. Al-Kadhee (2025) ONSC 6265.