The previous owners of a former General Motors auto parts facility are contesting St. Catharines’ directive to either fix or demolish the site’s structures, claiming that a 120-day extension provided last month is “not reasonable.”
Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice received the appeal notice on July 14, with numbered company 2390541 Ontario Inc. requesting the court to make several potential decisions.
In the appeal notice, the company is asking for the property standards orders issued for 282 and 285 Ontario St., which were upheld by the city’s property standards committee on June 25, to be canceled.
These orders were given in May, with the city instructing that the buildings must be repaired, replaced or demolished to “ensure public safety.” The orders came after numerous complaints regarding one of the properties were reported.
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Among their obligations, the owners must repair, replace or secure all openings in the buildings to prevent unauthorized access and remove or fix damaged and unstable ceiling materials. Alternatively, they can opt to demolish the structures as per city regulations.
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If the court doesn’t agree to overturn these orders, the company has requested an extension for compliance until June 30, 2027 – adding eight months beyond the October 23 date established by the city committee. The initial deadline was June 12.
“The timeline for compliance set out in the Orders, even as extended by the Committee to October 23, 2026, are not reasonable and do not allow the Owner a sufficient opportunity to fully assess the Orders and provide a substantive response,” stated in their notice of appeal.
“Further, these timelines don’t align with maintaining the general intent and purpose of the by-law given how complicated and extensive this work is and especially considering engagement with various regulatory agencies.”
The company also suggests that another option could involve modifying city orders “in a manner that this Honourable Court deems just.”
Around early June, they appealed these orders at a hearing before St. Catharines’ property standards committee. The attorney representing Celernus – which holds a mortgage on this property but isn’t its owner – argued at that meeting that more time was essential due to insufficient original timelines.
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The notice mentions that owners hired an engineering consultant to look over these orders “with a view to addressing deficiencies,” but noted that there wasn’t enough time under original June 12 deadline for adequate assessment.
Patrick Maloney requested an adjournment from committee hearings for an additional 60 days; he pointed out it would provide them time needed for obtaining an engineering assessment relevant for reviewing those orders and addressing compliance needs.
The committee chose not to postpone their meeting but granted a new extension instead – allowing them an extra 120 days for fulfilling order requirements.
A hearing at Superior Court is anticipated on August 13 at St. Catharines courthouse.
Scott Rosts from corporate communications department confirmed with that property owners had filed their appeal but declined further comments since this issue is currently under court consideration.
The provincial level has also seen action taken; NDP MPP Jennie Stevens from St. Catharines introduced legislation in June aimed at ensuring cleanup efforts on-site occur promptly.
This Wednesday statement made by Stevens criticized former GM site’s owners’ recent actions as she commented via email saying: “It’s another ploy to prolong this process and evade responsibility.”
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