Update on 65 Ward Street - January 2026

The Municipality is providing an update on the ongoing file for 65 Ward Street.

On January 13, the parties representing Southbridge Care Homes and the Municipality attended a mediation assessment session, in an effort to assess the issues relating to the appeal. The OLT uses this mediation assessment to decide if a case's issues, parties, and nature make it a good fit for mediation. At the mediation assessment, it was decided that four dates will be set for a Tribunal-led mediation, which is a confidential discussion of the issues between only the parties (Southbridge and the Municipality, each with their expert consultants). As this is a confidential process, nothing from the mediation can be disclosed by the parties or made publicly available, unless both parties agree to a verbal or written update.

Then, on January 16, 2026, Case Management Conference #3 was held by video regarding the appeal of the file for 65 Ward Street.

A Case Management Conference (CMC) is a meeting held by the Ontario Land Tribunal to identify the issues and who will participate in an appeal, helping to streamline the process before a full hearing.

On January 20, 2026, the Tribunal issued its Decision regarding the CMC #3, outlining the next steps ordered by the Tribunal. The OLT acknowledged the mediation dates but also scheduled a further CMC as well as a hearing in September, should the mediation be unsuccessful:

• A further Case Management Conference has been scheduled for June 19, 2026 (by video).
• A three-day Merit Hearing has been scheduled to begin on September 21, 2026 (by video).

For more information about Case Management Conferences, Mediation, and Merit Hearings, please review the OLT Hearing Events webpage. 

For more information on the overall case and information on how the public can attend future CMCs/Hearings please visit the Case Information webpage and/or contact the OLT Case Coordinator, Cissy Ip by email or by telephone: 416-212-6349, Toll Free: 1-866-448-2248. You can also refer to the Case Management Conference Decision (issued January 20, 2026) for links to the upcoming CMC and hearing dates. 

2026-01-23