ARTICLES
IX. CONSTRUCTION AND
BUILDERS’ LIEN
WHO IS ENTITLED TO MAKE A LIEN CLAIM
The Canadian Institute, Construction Superconference
WHO IS
ENTITLED TO MAKE A LIEN CLAIM
by
David I. Bristow, Q.C.
The Canadian Institute
Construction Superconference
WHO IS ENTITLED
TO MAKE A LIEN CLAIM
Introduction and Interpretation of the Act
In
interpreting the provisions of the Construction Lien Act of Ontario, and
indeed in all of the common law provinces, it must be remembered that the Act
is to be strictly interpreted as to who is entitled to a lien. Once it is found there is entitlement to a
lien the rules respecting the rights conferred under the Act to the lien
claimant are liberally construed.
Clarkson Co. v. Ace
Lumber Ltd. [1963] S.C.R. 110 at pg. 114-15
1246798
Ontario Inc. v.
The
strict interpretation principle seems to be recited by the Courts when they are
not going to allow a lien as in the Clarkson and 1246798 Ontario Inc.
cases. When the court allows the lien
claim as a rule the strict construction principle is never mentioned.
On
the other hand if the Courts wish to find for the lien claimant they usually
state that the whole object under the Construction Lien Act is to
prevent the owners of lands whatever their estate in them from getting the
labour and capital of the lien claimants without compensation.
Boomars Plumbing & Heating Ltd. v Marogna
Bros. Enterprises Ltd (1988),
51 D.L.R. (4th) 13 at p.20 (B.C.C.A.)
Macklem & Bristow, "Construction
Mechanics Liens in
McGuiness, "Construction Lien Remedies in
Stirn v. Vancouver Arena Co. Ltd. (1932) 2 W.W.R. 651 at p.659 (B.C.C.A.)
In
this paper each section of the Ontario Construction Lien Act pertaining
to entitlement will be reviewed. The
pertinent sections are as follows:
14(1) A person who
supplies services or materials to an improvement for an owner, contractor or
subcontractor, has a lien upon the interest of the owner in the premises
improved for the price of those services or materials. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.30, s. 14(1).
1(1) "improvement" means:
(a)
any alteration,
addition or repair to, or
(b)
any construction,
erection or installation on,
any land, and includes the demolition or removal of any building, structure
or works or part thereof, and "improved" has a corresponding meaning;
("amélioré")
"land" includes any building, structure or works affixed
to the land, or an appurtenance to any of them, but does not include the
improvement; ("bien-fond")
"materials“ means every kind of movable property,
(a)
that becomes, or is
intended to become, part of the improvement, or that is used directly in the
making of the improvement, or that is used to facilitate directly the making of
the improvement,
(b)
that is equipment rented
without an operator for use in the making of the improvement;
("matériaux")
1(2) When materials supplied
For the purposes of this Act, materials are
supplied to an improvement when they are:
(a) placed on the
land on which the improvement is being made;
(b) placed upon land designated by the owner
or an agent of the owner that is in the immediate vicinity of the premises, but
placing materials on the land so designated does not, of itself, make that land
subject to a lien; or
(c) in any event, incorporated into or used
in making or facilitating directly the making of the improvement, R.S.O. 1990,
c. C.30, s. 1(2).
1(1) "supply
of services" means any work done or service performed upon or in respect
of an improvement, and includes,
(c)
the rental of equipment
with an operator, and
(d)
where the making of
the planned improvement is not commenced, the supply of a design, plan, drawing
or specification that in itself enhances the value of the owner’s interest in
the land,
and a corresponding expression has a corresponding meaning;
("prestation de services")
It
is in most cases useful to review the dictionary definition of the key words in
the sections, some of which are as follows:
"Improvement" is defined as "a
valuable addition made to property (usually real estate) or an
amelioration in its condition, amounting to more than mere repairs or
replacement, costing labour and capital, and intended to enhance its value,
beauty or utility or to adapt it for new and further purposes".
Black's Law Dictionary, 6th Edition (
"Affix" is defined as "to attach, add to, or fasten on
permanently".
Black's Law Dictionary, 6th Edition (
"Alteration" is defined as
"variation; changing; making different. A change of a thing from one
form or state to another; making a thing different from what it was without
destroying its identity".
Black's Law Dictionary, 6th Edition (
"Addition" is defined as "the action or process of
adding; that which is added".
The Shorter
"Enhanced" is defined as "made greater, increased".
Black's Law Dictionary, 6th Edition (
"Erection" is defined as "the
act or an instance of erecting; the state of being erected; a thing that is
erected or built up, esp. a building or structure".
The Canadian
"Installation" is defined as
"the action of setting up or fixing in position for service or use
(machinery, apparatus, etc.); a mechanical apparatus set up or put in position
for use"
The Shorter
What is an "improvement"?
The ability to place a valid lien upon land usually involves an analysis of the type of materials or services provided. However, there are several issues relating to the type of project itself, which can limit or prevent a lien from attaching to the premises. Such issues generally arise in the context of whether the project is an improvement within the meaning of the Act. An analysis of sections 14(1), the definition section 1(1), and section 1(2) is therefore essential. The case law that has considered the issues relating to improvements is as conflicting and varied as other areas of the Act.
The case law on what is an improvement falls into three main categories:
1. Is the project in the nature of a fixture on the land?
2. What is the nexus between the services or materials supplied and the project, both in terms of time and the work undertaken?
3. Has the work or service enhanced the value of the land?
Is the project in the nature of a fixture on the land?
The guiding principle is that a project must not be a chattel and must instead be a fixture to the land in order for suppliers of services and materials to have a valid lien. However, this principle is of course much easier to apply in the abstract than in the varied number of situations that can arise in industrial and commercial settings.
For example, portable schoolrooms which rested upon cinder blocks and concrete slabs were held not to be improvements. The absence of water or sewage facilities was noted as a factor in determining that the portables were not fixtures
Re Inesco Ltd. (1986), 20 C.L.R. 1 (
However, the integration of an item into the land or a building on the land will also not necessarily lead to the conclusion that a project is a fixture. Laundry facilities which were hooked up to the plumbing in a premises were found not to be improvements to the land and were not lienable: Query how this decision contrasts to the general real estate principle that appliances in a house are considered to be included in the sale of the house?
Hubert v. Shinder, [1952] O.W.N. 146 (
While the hook-up of laundry facilities did not permit a lien, the installation of cabinets and counters was sufficient for them to be considered a fixture and an improvement. Although the cabinets were removable, the Court held that it was intended that they were going to become part of the building.
Levan Millwork Ltd. v. Larken Industries Ltd. (1989) 37, C.L.R. 78 (B.C.S.C.).
The removeability of an items of even very heavy machinery or equipment can lead to the conclusion that no lien attaches. For example a water cooling system installed in a factory was held not lienable.
Baltimore Aircoil of Canada Inc. v. Process Cooling Systems Inc. (1993), 16 O.R. (3d) 324 (Gen. Div.)
A 2.5 million pound paper making machine (for which the building was constructed around it) was similarly held not to be a lienable item.
Beloit Canada Ltd. v. Fundy Forest Industries Ltd (1981), 127 D.L.R. 3(d) 320 (N.B.C.A.)
However, at least one Court has held,
on a summary judgment motion, that whether an item of large equipment or
machinery is an improvement, even if it could be physically removed, may depend
on a practical consideration of the economics and physical aspects of
removal. Whether the item could be used
at another site (if it could be removed) was similarly an issue for trial. On that case the machinery was a large ore
bridge that ran on rails which was used for unloading iron ore from ships at
the Dofasco plant in
Dominion
Bridge Inc. v. Noell Stahl-Und Machinebau GMGH
and Dofasco Inc. (unreported,
Justice Ferrier in that case states as follows:
"Here, there are two matters which must be left to a trial judge. The first is the question whether the bridge can be, in practicable terms, moved from the land. In absolute terms, it of course can be removed, but in practicable terms there is an issue as to whether economics and its physical dimension in effect prohibit such transport. There is as well an issue as to whether its design permits installation elsewhere without substantial alternations and rebuilding of the bridge."
As with other issues in the Act, the removeability principle is not applied consistently. Equipment for air cleaning which was removable, and which could even be used at other sites, was held to be lienable:
IBL Industries Ltd., Re (1990), 43
C.L.R. 192 (
What is the nexus between the services or materials
supplied and the project, both in terms of time and the work undertaken?
Whether a project is underway or not can itself permit a lien for services which do not normally give rise to one. Similarly, the absence of a project being underway can deprive a service provider of a lien.
Security services which are provided for a construction site are lienable when the construction is ongoing, as an ancillary part of ensuring the safety of the project and preventing tampering with work which is not complete.
G.C. MacDonald Supply Ltd. v. Preston Heights Estates Ltd. (1992), 1 C.L.R. (2d) 157 (Ont. Gen. Div.)
The services of a property manager in supervising repairs were lienable because they were done at a time when a project was underway. However, those services of the property manager related to leasing units and purchasing appliances were not lienable.
Southdale Towers Ltd. v. Carlton Management Group Inc. (1994), 18 O.R. (3d) 233 (Gen. Div.)
The absence of a project made snow-clearing services not lienable, although the court expressly noted that such services could have been lienable if they had been necessary for construction.
G. Newman
Aluminum Sales Ltd. v. Snowking Enterprises Ltd.
(1980) 13 R.P.R. 275 (
Similarly, the services of a project manager were not lienable for the period before the project was actually underway in, but were allowed once construction began.
P.R.
Collings & Associates Ltd. v. Jolin Holdings
Ltd., [1978] 3 W.W.R. 602 (
Has the work or service enhanced the value of the land?
The definition of improvement was changed many years ago to include demolition services, so that in some cases work which is done before the land's value actually increases can be lienable. However, whether the land is worth more as a result of the provision of someone's materials or services can be a relevant consideration in determining whether a lien exists.
A contractor who dug up a large amount of soil on a property as a first step in removing contaminants, but who ultimately did not decontaminate the soil, was not granted a lien. Even though such excavation work could be commonly considered as traditional construction work which would give rise to a lien, the court was guided by the fact that the work done had not increased the value of the premises.
Don Chemical Canada Inc. v. Southbend Construction Co. (1996), 27 C.L.R. (2d) 102 (Alta. Q.B.)
Furthermore, recent case law appears to suggest that, as a general proposition, work done for a project which does not ultimately proceed may not be lienable. The Ontario Divisional Court stated this proposition, but went on to note that the Act's definition of "supply of services" expressly includes the provision of services in the nature of plans or specifications where the actual improvement is not commenced but where the value of the land is enhanced by that work. In that case, the architect who prepared plans for a building which did not go ahead was permitted to proceed with its lien claim to trial.
1246798 Ontario Inc v.
The court in
Further, the court held that to meet the criteria for a valid lien it was not necessary that the enhancement of the owner's interest be proportionate to the price being charged by the lien claimant for the services provided.
In a recent case in
R.B. Builders Ltd. v. Williamson (G.F.) Engineering Ltd. (2000), 233 N.B.R. (2d) 172 (Q.B.)
Supply of Materials
"Materials" are defined by the Act as every kind of movable property:
a) That becomes part of the improvement;
b) or is intended to become part of the improvement;
c) or that is used directly in the making of the improvement;
d) or that is used to facilitate directly the making of the improvement.
Equipment rented without an operator is defined as material.
The Act defines services or materials to include both services and materials.
The Act in section 1(2) defines when materials are supplied to an improvement as:
a) placed on the land on which the improvement is being made;
b) placed on land designated by the owner or an agent of the owner that is in the immediate vicinity of the premises. It is to be noted that the placing of the materials on the designated land does not make that land subject to a lien;
c) in any event, if the material is incorporated into or used in the making or facilitating directly the making of the improvement.
In a recent case in our Ontario Court of Appeal where the court found that where the supplier lien claimant was selling material or services without any regard to the purpose or site for which the material was destined it was deemed to be selling on the credit of the buyer alone and no lien was allowed as there was no intent to supply to a particular improvement. The court stated:
"The Act was not intended to apply to retailers who sell to members of the public in general and who have no direct connection to any improvement to any premises."
In this case the invoices from Central Supply Co. (the lien claimant) to Modern Tile Supply Co. did not refer to a specific work site, improvement or premises where the product was to be incorporated. Central Supply had never shown any interest in tracing the product supplied to Modern Tile to a specific work site, land or improvement such that a claim for lien could have been registered under the Act.
Central
Supply Co.(1972) Limited v.
Modern Tile Supply Co. Ltd., 55 O.R. (3d) 783 (Ont.
If materials however delivered were actually incorporated in the building being erected on the land sought to be charged with the lien and the claimant can prove this then there is a lien.
For example, where the material man is supplying to the central warehouse of the general contractor who is building on several properties under contracts with several different owners, the material man would have to trace his material and able to identify it in each of the buildings being erected on the several properties.
Kelly and Cracknell Limited v. Armstrong Housing Industries Ltd.(1948) O.W.N. 417 (M.C.)
Brunswick
Construction Lteé v. Michaud (1978) 23
N.B.R. (2d) 143, affirmed 16 N.B.R. (2d) 55 (
Nelson Lumber Co. v. Integrated Buildings Corp. Ltd. (1973) S.C.R. 456
Placed in the immediate vicinity
Section 1(2) of the Construction Lien Act states that materials are supplied to an improvement when they are placed on land designated by the owner or an agent of the owner that is in the immediate vicinity of the premises.
An adjoining lot purchased especially for storage was held to be in the "immediate vicinity".
Trussed Concrete Steel Co. v. Taylor Engineering Co., (1919) 2 W.W.R. 123 (Alta. T.D.)
Used directly in the making of the improvement
For material that is used up in the building construction, such as coal that is burned, a lien was allowed.
Wortman v. Frid Lewis Co. (1915), 9 W.W.R. 812 (Alta TD)
Explosives used during the preparation of the site for construction are lienable items.
JB Turney and Co. v. Farelly Bros. Ltd. [1922] 3 W.W.R. 289
Gas and oil consumed by machines during construction are lienable items.
Re Bodner (1963), 43 W.W.R. 641 (Man.)
In JB Turney and Co. v. Farelly Bros. Ltd. [1922] 3 W.W.R. 289 the court held that explosives, fuses and detonators were lienable since they were consumed. However, the wire connecting the batteries to the detonators remained reusable tools and were not lienable. Question - whether this is still applicable after the Ontario Act was amended in 1983 to include equipment rented without an operator, if the wires had been rented.
A general contractor subcontracted for the construction of moulds for use in the formation of pre-cast cement guide way segments for the construction of a rapid transit system. The general contractor leased land and built a construction shed for use as the fabrication facility. The shed was constructed to hold the weight of the moulds which were bolted to the floor. After the rapid transit system was constructed the moulds were to be sold to the system and likely removed from the shed. The subcontractor filed a lien against the leased land. It was held by the British Columbia Court of Appeal that the moulds were erected or built on land attached to it by bolted connection to floor or piles by their own weight. The moulds were intended to be in place for at least the duration of the project, which was a substantial time, and held sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the definition of improvement.
Deal v. Cherubini Metal Works Ltd. (2001), 6 C.L.R. (3d) 173 (B.C.C.A.)
A lien was permitted under the British Columbia Act for equipment held in standby during a work stoppage. The case is currently under appeal.
J.W. Price Construction Ltd. v. Elan Construction Ltd. (2001) B.C.S.C. 1125
A lien claim for repairs to rental equipment was rejected.
Joe Pasut Contractors Ltd. (1973), 18 C.B.R. (N.S.) 87 Ont. S.C.
But if the cost of repairs was to be borne by the lessee then these costs were found to be lienable.
Blackwood Hodge Equipment Ltd. v. Henfrey Sampson Belaire Ltd., (1985) 15 C.L.R. 301
Supply of Services
According to
section 14(1) of the Construction Lien Act a person who supplies
services is entitled to a lien. Importantly, the terms "workdone" and
"services" are not defined in the Act. Although the defined term "supply of
services" in s.1(1) the Act does not exactly
coincide with the phrase "supplies services", it can be assumed that
the two phrases refer to the same concept.
Therefore, to create a lienable interest, one must fall within the
definition of "supply of services" under section 1(1) of the Act. The
courts have attempted to clarify the meaning of "supply of services"
under this section through the common law.
In Respect of an Improvement
The Dictionary of Canadian Law, Second Edition, defines "in respect of" in the following way:
"…'[I]n relation to', 'with reference to' and 'in connection with'. The phrase 'in respect of' is probably the widest of any expression intended to convey some connection between two related subject matters." Nowegijick v. R., [1983] 2 C.N.L.R. 89 at 96, [1983] 1 S.C.R. 29, [1983] C.T.C. 20, 46 N.R. 1, 144 D.L.R. 93d) 193, 83 D.T.C. 5041, the court per Dickson J.
In Desourdy 1949 Paving Inc. (Trustee of) v. Teperman and Sons Inc. (Trustee of) [2000] O.J. No. 1560, (2000) 17 C.B.R. (4th) 66, (2000) 3 C.L.R. (3d) 93, the fact that the operations of the lien claimant were off-site was held to be immaterial to a finding as to whether the claimant's services were an "improvement". In Alcorn & Associates Ltd. v. 634713 Ontario Ltd., Kirsh's C.C.L.F. 20.2, the court held that the plans prepared by the plaintiffs were services performed for an improvement despite the fact that the planned improvement was not commenced in the particular case. The plan prepared by the plaintiff was useful to the owner or subsequent purchaser for planning applications, including zoning, official plan change, and for financing and investment. Similarly, in Smith & Smith Kingston Ltd. v. Kinalea Development Corp., (1994) 22 C.L.R. (2d) 234, the court held that whether or not construction takes place is not the determinative factor.
Rental of Equipment with an Operator
In Ontario, definitions of "materials" and "supply of
services" in subsection 1(1) of the Act were amended in 1983 to provide
that a person who rents equipment with operators for use on a contract site
will be deemed for the purposes of the Act to have performed a service for
which he is entitled to a lien for the price of the rental.
Where The Planned Improvement Is Not Commenced
The Act states that where the improvement is not commenced the supply of a design, plan, drawing or specification that in itself enhances the value of the owner's interest in the land creates a lien.
This part of the definition means that people such as engineers,
interior designers, surveyors, may be entitled to liens since their services
fall within the definition of supply of services, even though the construction
or project is not commenced.
The following have been held to fall within the definition of "supply of services," as provided in the Act:
(e) Engineering Services: In Urban Systems Ltd. v. Mission Hill Management Inc. [1998] B.C.J. No. 1834, Urban had provided engineering services relating to a new residential subdivision. It was held that Urban was entitled to judgment for a portion of the value of its work actually done on the liened properties, however, Urban was not allowed to claim a lien for work that related to proposed investments that did not actually occur.
(f) Estimating Work: (see Edwards Stephens Associates Ltd. v. G.L. Trenching Ltd. (1989), 73 O.R. (2d) 112, 40 C.L.R. 161 (H.C.J.);
(g)
Security Services: A claim for the provision of security services on a construction site
was held to be the proper subject matter of a lien where the services were
performed entirely on the property, within the time during which the
construction project was being carried on, were necessary to ensure the
protection of the site from potential loss due to vandalism and theft, and were
of benefit not only to the general contractor, but to the lien claimants: G.C. MacDonald Supply Ltd. v.
Preston Heights Estates Ltd. (1992), 1 C.L.R. (2d) 157 (Ont. Gen.
Div.). Similarly, a lien for security
services provided on a construction site was also allowed in M.W.M.
Construction of Kitchener Ltd. v. Valley Ridge Inc. (1993), 8 C.L.R.
(2d) 25 (Ont. Gen. Div.), affirmed (1993), 15 C.L.R. (2d) 139 (Ont. Gen. Div.);
(h)
Disposal
Services: In Desourdy 1949
Paving Inc. (Trustee of), Re (2000), 3 C.L.R. (3d) 93 (Ont. S.C.J.), the
subcontractor was hired to dispose of rubbish during the demolition of a
building by the contractor. According to
the court, the work performed by the subcontractor constituted an “improvement”
within the meaning of section 1(1) of Act.
The disposal services were part of the contractor’s contract, and were
directly related to the demolition activity performed by the contractor. In Benny Haulage Ltd. v. Carosi
Construction Ltd., (1998) 39 C.L.R. (2d) 175 (Ont. Div. Ct.) affirmed 1998,
40 C.L.R. (2d) 247 (Ont. C.A.) the court held that the excavation and disposal
of soil physically contributed in a direct and essential way to the
construction of an improvement and therefore qualified as a "supply of
service".
(i)
Surveying Services: A surveyor’s lien was upheld in Smith &
Smith Kingston Ltd. v. Kinalea Development Corp.,
(1994) 22 C.L.R. (2d) 234,, where
his work was for the direct purpose of enabling the owner to proceed with
construction. In these cases, the
services provided related directly to the lands being liened, construction and
actual improvements of the land. The
court noted that if the nature of the work done by a surveyor is such that
there is no improvement, then the lien would not attach. For instance, if the surveyor determined a
boundary between two properties and did nothing more.
(j)
Commercial
Cleaning Services: In Leslie
L. Solty & Sons Ltd., v. Finbur Enterprises Ltd. (1977), 19 O.R.
(2d) 87, the court held that a claim by a company which provided commercial cleaning
services fell within the definition of "supply of services" under the
Act on the ground that the services were rendered for a carpentry contractor
engaged in the construction of the defendant's building project.
The following have been held not to fall within the definition of "supply of services":
(k)
Legal Services: (see Canario Development Corp. v. Fitzsimmon, MacFarlane
(1987), 60 O.R. (2d) 36, 48 R.P.R. 311 (H.C.J.); and Oliver v. Muer
Construction Ltd. (Estate) (See discussion below);
(l)
Snow Removal: A lien claim for snow removal was disallowed
in G Newman and in C.I.B.C. v. Repac Const. & Materials
Ltd. (1983), 1 C.L.R. 143 (Ont. M.C.).
However, the court in G Newman held that if the snow was removed
to enable a construction project to continue or proceed, the snow removal would
qualify as a service to enable the enhancement of the value of the property and
fall within the definition of "supply of services" as set out in
subsection 1(1) of the Act; and
(m)
Project
Management and Site Supervision:
In disallowing a claim for project management and site supervision fees in Tamma
Construction Co. v. Brault (1995), 24 C.L.R. (2d) 124 (Ont. Div.),
the Court relied on the decisions in 697470 Ont. Ltd. v. Presidential
Developments Ltd. (1989) ("697470"), 69 O.R. (2d) 334 (Div. Ct.)
and Franro Property Ltd. v. Heritage Glen North Ltd. (1993),
Kirsh’s C.C.L.F. 47.15. The
responsibilities which the plaintiffs attempted to claim for in 697470 included
things such as setting up a sales office, making building permit applications,
etc. The rationale for the decision in
697470 was that the work performed was not sufficiently directly related to the
construction of the improvement.
(n)
Soil test and Report: (see Morton & Partners Ltd. v. Deb-Bac Investments
Ltd., Kirsh's C.C.L.F. 86.3 (Ont. M.C.).
(o)
Towing: In S.E. Rozell and Sons Inc. v. Groff, (2002)
C.L.R. (3d) 58 (Ont. S.C.J.) the court held that towing services used to place
on and remove from a project site an office and storage trailer was not a
supply of services contemplated by the Act.
(p)
Telephone Service: In S.E. Rozell and Sons Inc. v. Groff, (2002)
C.L.R. (3d) 58 (Ont. S.C.J.) it was held that the provision of a
telephone line to the project site was not a service envisioned by the Act.
(q)
Overhead Expenses: Do not fall within the definition of supply of services. Rudco Insulation Ltd. v. Toronto
Service Providers
In addition to the examples listed above, there are a number of service providers that are commonly involved in construction projects. These providers include architects, building managers, consultants and lawyers and are discussed below.
A. Architects
In
In 1246798
Ontario Inc. v.
B. Building
Managers
Case law suggests
that building managers may be entitled to a lien under the Act depending on the
nature of their services. In Southdale
Towers Ltd. v. Carlton Management Group Inc. (1994), 18 O.R. (3d)
233 (Gen. Div.), a property manager engaged by the owner to lease, manage,
maintain and repair the owners buildings was held to be entitled to assert a
lien for the supply of services and materials and its fee for work supervising
repairs but not for services in renting units, enforcing leases and purchasing
and supplying appliances. This case is
also noteworthy as it is an example of a court considering different
responsibilities which comprise a service, instead of the service as a whole,
to determine whether the service falls under the definition provided in the
Act. This gives lien claimants
additional opportunities to make lien claims by breaking down their
responsibilities to the court, even if all of their services would not fall
within the definition provided for under the Act.
In 697470 Ont.
Ltd. v. Presidential Developments Ltd. (1989), 69 (O.R.) (2d) 334
(Div. Ct.), a claim for a lien by the general manager of the defendant builder,
for services in setting up a sales office, in applying for building permits, in
negotiating with building trades and with municipal officials, and in assisting
site superintendents in decision-making, was disallowed since such services
were performed off the job site, and were not directly related to the
construction of the improvement.
C. Consultants
Depending on the nature of their
services, consultants may be entitled to a lien under the Act. In
Alcorn & Associates Ltd. v. 634713 Ontario Ltd., Kirsh's C.C.L.F.
20.2, the court held that a plan prepared by a planner enhanced the value of
the land as it was useful for planning applications, including zoning, official
plan change or subdivision, and for financing and investment. Similarly, a report prepared by a second
plaintiff which was part of the design and overall plan also enhanced the value
of the land. The court held that the
services provided by the plaintiffs fell under the definition of "supply
of services" in that they were connected with a specific improvement,
dealing with the specific site, of use to the owner or a purchaser from the
owner. This was held despite the fact
that the planned improvement was not ultimately commenced.
In a very recent
All About Construction Ltd. v. 1336555 Ontario Ltd. (
Therefore, where the services of consultants are connected with an improvement of a specific site, and as a result, the value of the land is enhanced, a consultant will likely be entitled to a lien under the Act.
D. Lawyers
Case law suggests
that lawyers will have great difficulty in claiming a lien under the Act. The claim for lien of lawyers in respect of
services performed by them in negotiating the termination of the construction
contract was disallowed in Canario Dev. Corp. v. Fitzsimmons,
MacFarlane (1987), 60 O.R. (2d) 36 (H.C.).
Similarly, a claim for lien for a lawyer’s services in obtaining severance applications, which substantially improved the value of his client’s property, was disallowed in Oliver v. Muer Const. Ltd. (1985), 12 C.L.R. 1 (Ont. H.C.) ("Oliver"). In Oliver, a lawyer was retained to handle severance applications pertaining to land owned and further to represent the client before the Ontario Municipal Board regarding an objection to the rezoning of the land. Oliver was successful in both tasks but the client filed for bankruptcy before paying his legal fees. Oliver then placed a lien on the property. The Court found that no lien existed as the supply of any services must be upon or in respect of an improvement, as defined by the Act, which denotes actual construction or demolition and not just an improvement in the price of the land.
This does not mean that lawyers cannot acquire lien rights. Their services, however, must be directly related to improvements on land and/or construction. Oliver was decided on the basis that the legal services in the case were too remote to give rise to a lien as there was no nexus with any planned specific improvement. Further, since a lawyer is unlikely to produce plans, drawings, designs or specifications, construction of the improvement must actually take place for a solicitor's lien right to accrue.
E. Hi-Tech
Service Providers and Indirect Service Providers
Although there are
not many examples of lien claims by hi-tech service providers, there is no
doubt that such claims will become more common in the future. Examples of such service providers include
computer installation, access card service installation, surveillance camera
installation, and other related security services.
Such lien claims
may be challenged on the basis that such equipment is removable and therefore,
does not enhance the value of property.
In favour of such liens, it may be argued that this type of service,
e.g. installation of high tech equipment, is a long-term investment, and
although such equipment may ultimately be removed, it is not easily
transferable to other buildings, and increases the value of a building for use
by tenants/owners. As such, this type of
equipment can be analogized to pipes or windows, which could be removed, but
are generally only of use in the building in which they were installed.
A claim in respect
of security services was allowed because the services were provided at the
request of the contractor, exclusively for the project, and because they were
necessary to protect the interests of the owners and lien claimants.
G.C. McDonald
Supply Ltd. v. Preston
Heights Estates Ltd. (No. 2), (1992) 1 C.L.R. (2d) 153 Additional reasons
1992 1 C.L.R. (2d) 153N; Affirmed
What Losses Can be Claimed Under the Construction Lien Act
By the lien claimant
The damages claimable through a lien
are limited to the actual value of the services or materials supplied under s.
14(1) of the Act, and these generally do not include a claim for damages:
Landis & Gyr Powers Ltd. v. Megatech Contracting Ltd. (unreported,
The recent Ontario decision in Stucor Construction Ltd. v. Brock University, [2001] O.J. No. 4060 (S.C.J.) stated that a lien claim can include a claim for delay where the damages sought were the result of work done or increased costs as a result of a delay, because in that sense the claim would be for services or materials actually supplied to the job site This was expressly distinguished by the court in Stucor from a claim for potential lost profits on another job, although these propositions must be taken with some reservation, as they were only expressed as grounds not to reduce the claim for lien on a motion to reduce the quantum and post security in court.
There is varying
Against the lien claimant
Section 55(2) of the Construction Lien Act permits any claim to be made by a defendant in a lien claim action by counterclaim against the lien claimant, whether related to the work performed or not.
However, there are limits to the operation of a set-off. For example an owner cannot set off any damages sought or awarded in a counterclaim against the hold back: Len Ariss & Co. v. Peloso, [1958] O.R. 643 (C.A.).
Set-offs can include amounts paid for
legal fees and bonding premiums in removing the liens registered by trades
subordinate to a lien claimant, and can also include the loss of interest on
funds withheld due to a lien: Majestic Contractors Ltd. v. N.C.L. Contracting Ltd.
(1994), 121 Sask. R. 175 (Q.B.).
A
counterclaim can include a claim for punitive damages: Johnson & Associates
Ltd. v. Wade (unreported,
A
counterclaim can also include the damages under section 35 of the Construction Lien Act for improper registration of a
claim for lien: Disal
Contracting Ltd. v.
Salamon Holdings
Inc. (1997), 35
C.L.R. (2d) 200 (Ont. Gen. Div.). Some
cases have held that an absence of malice or a good faith belief by the lien
claimant and its solicitor that a lien is valid will be defences to such a
claim: Garret v. Ayr Ventures Inc. (1995) 18 C.L.R. (2d) 300 (Ont. Gen. Div.)
and Woodmere
(Credit Valley) Ltd. v. Sacevich (1994), 18 C.L.R. (2d) 171 (Ont.
Gen. Div.). However, other cases have
held that mere negligence on the part of the lien claimant in registering a
claim for lien can meet the requirements of s. 35 of the Act: Rideau Valley Construction
Ltd. v. Visa Construction Co. (unreported,