Local Roads Boards Act

Bills that amended this Act0

No published amendment links yet for this Act.

Sections88

• 1Definitions

  1 In this Act, “board” means a board of a local roads area; (“régie”) “land” includes land covered with water; (“bien-fonds”) “local roads area” means a local roads area established under this Act; (“zone de routes locales”) “Minister” means the Minister of Transportation; (“ministre”) “Ministry” means the ministry of the Minister; (“ministère”) “owner” means a person entitled to convey land and whose interest in the land is defined and whose name is specified in an instrument registered in the proper land registry office, and includes a lessee of the Crown and a locatee under the Public Lands Act; (“propriétaire”) “prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations made under this Act; (“prescrit”) “register” means the Local Roads Tax Register; (“registre”) “secretary-treasurer” means a secretary-treasurer appointed by a board under this Act. (“secrétaire-trésorier”) R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, …

• 1.
• 2Application

  2 This Act applies only in territory without municipal organization. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 2.

• 2.
• 3Votes

  3 Any matter to be determined by a vote at any meeting held under the authority of this Act shall be determined by a majority of the owners voting on the matter, and the owners shall decide how the voting shall be conducted. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 3.

• 3.
• 4Qualification of voters

  4 (1) Every owner of land in a local roads area of the full age of eighteen years, including the chair of the meeting, is entitled to vote on any matter to be decided by a vote. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 4 (1). Idem (2) If an objection is made to the right of any person to vote at a meeting, the chair shall require the person to identify the land in respect of which the person claims the right to vote and to take an oath or affirmation that the person is of the full age of eighteen years and the owner of such land. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 4 (2).

• 4.
• 5Qualification of trustees

  5 No person shall be elected or appointed a trustee of a board unless the person is, (a) of the full age of eighteen years; (b) a Canadian citizen; and (c) an owner of land in the local roads area or proposed local roads area, as the case may be, in respect of which no taxes of a preceding year or years payable under this Act are in arrears. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 5.

• 5.
• 6Declaration of office

  6 Every person elected or appointed to a board or appointed secretary-treasurer of a board shall, before entering upon his or her duties, take a declaration of office in the prescribed form. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 6.

• 6.
• 7Meeting for establishment of area and board

  7 (1) Ten or more owners of land in a proposed local roads area may in writing appoint one of their number to call a meeting of all owners of land in such area to consider the establishment of a local roads area. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 7 (1). Notice of meeting (2) The owner so appointed shall call a meeting within ten days of the appointment by posting up in at least six conspicuous places and at each post office and school house in the proposed local roads area a notice setting forth a description or illustration of the roads to be included in and the boundaries of the proposed local roads area, the place, date, time and purpose of the meeting, the date of the posting of the notice and his or her name and address. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 7 (2). Date of meeting (3) The date of the meeting shall be at least ten days after the date of the posting up of the last notice. R.S.O. 1990, c. L…

• 7.
• 8Minister’s order

  8 (1) Upon receipt of a petition, the Minister, if the Minister considers it in the public interest so to do for the purposes of this Act, may, by order in writing, establish the proposed local roads area, or any smaller or larger area as the Minister considers appropriate, as a local roads area, and the Minister may designate the local roads to be included therein. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 8 (1). Trustees form board (2) Upon the establishment of a local roads area, the trustees elected under subsection 7 (7) form the board for the year in which they were elected and until successors elected in their stead have taken office. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 8 (2).

• 8.
• 9First meeting

  9 (1) Every board shall meet within twenty-one days of the receipt of the order of the Minister establishing the local roads area. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 9 (1). Chair (2) Every board shall at its first meeting elect one of their number to be chair of the board. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 9 (2).

• 9.
• 10Duties of board, inspection

  10 (1) The board shall annually, and may as often as it considers necessary, inspect the local roads in the local roads area. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 10 (1). Roadwork (2) The board may, within the limit of the money available to pay for such work and subject to the approval of the Minister, determine the work to be performed on local roads in the local roads area and enter into contracts for the performance of such work. 1996, c. 33, s. 29 (1). Trustee failing to act (3) If for any reason a trustee is unable or unwilling to act, the remaining two trustees may appoint an owner of land in the local roads area to serve for the remainder of the term of such trustee, and, where the trustee is the chair of the board, a new chair shall be elected by the trustees. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 10 (3). Secretary-treasurer (4) Every board shall appoint a secretary-treasurer who may be a member of the …

• 10.
• 10.0.1Annual estimate

  10.0.1 (1) The board shall prepare an estimate of the amount required for the purposes of the board for a year. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 1. Same (2) The estimate for a particular year may be prepared during the year or during the preceding year. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 1. Same (3) In preparing its estimate for a year, a board shall make due allowance for any surplus of any previous year that will be available in the current year and for any uncollectable taxes and for any money to be credited to the board under sections 31 and 32 in the current year. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 1. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 1 - 01/01/2009

• 10.1Liability under contracts

  10.1 (1) The board may enter into contracts under subsection 10 (2) in its own name and may sue and be sued with respect to such contracts in its own name, but the trustees of the board are not personally liable for the board’s contracts. 1996, c. 33, s. 29 (2). Insurance (2) The board may purchase and maintain insurance against its liability under a contract entered into under subsection 10 (2). 1996, c. 33, s. 29 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1996, c. 33, s. 29 (2) - 01/04/1997

• 11.
• 11Annual meeting

  11 (1) Before the 1st day of November in each year, the board shall call an annual meeting of the owners of land in the local roads area for the election of the successors of the members of the board and for the conduct of other business, including the presentation of a statement of the receipts and disbursements of the board and the auditor’s report, if one has been made. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 11 (1). Idem (2) The secretary-treasurer shall send notice of the time, date and place of the annual meeting to every owner of land in the local roads area and to the Minister not less than fourteen days before the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 11 (2).

• 12.
• 12Trustees, term of office

  12 The trustees elected at an annual meeting shall assume office on the 1st day of January in the year next following the year in which they were elected. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 12.

• 13.
• 13Chair

  13 The chair of the board shall act as chair of the annual meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 13.

• 14.
• 14Annual meeting, on call of secretary-treasurer

  14 (1) If in any year the board fails to call an annual meeting before the 1st day of November, the secretary-treasurer shall forthwith call such a meeting and shall give notice thereof as provided in subsection 11 (2), and shall act as chair of the meeting despite the fact that the chair of the board attends the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 14 (1). on call of ten owners (2) If in any year both the board and the secretary-treasurer fail to call an annual meeting or, having called an annual meeting, fail to put to a vote a proposal as required by the Minister under subsection 16 (2), any ten owners of land in the local roads area may call a meeting as provided in section 7 and may appoint one of their number to act as chair at the meeting, and such owner shall act as chair despite the fact that the chair of the board attends the meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 14 (2). Expenses to b…

• 15.
• 15Financial statement

  15 Upon receipt of notice of an annual meeting, the Minister shall cause to be prepared a statement of the money credited to the account of the board during the period since the last such statement and of the expenditures charged against the account for the same period, and shall send such statement to the secretary-treasurer at least three days before the date of the annual meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 15.

• 16.
• 16Alteration of boundaries or local roads

  16 (1) Where it is proposed that, (a) the boundaries of a local roads area be altered; (b) any local road be added to or removed from a local roads area; (c) any local road included in a local roads area be extended; or (d) the minimum annual tax imposed under section 22 be altered,

• 17.
• [s18]

  the proposal shall be put to a vote at an annual meeting, and the notice of such annual meeting shall outline the proposal. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 16 (1). Idem (2) Where it is proposed by the Minister that the boundaries of a local roads area be altered, the Minister may, by notice to the secretary-treasurer of the board affected, require the board to put the proposal to a vote at the next annual meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 16 (2). Notices (3) Where it is proposed that a local roads area be enlarged, in addition to the notice required under subsection (1), the secretary-treasurer shall post within the new area that is proposed to be added to the existing local roads area notices of the proposal, setting forth a description or illustration of the boundaries of the new area and the place, date and time of the annual meeting, and all owners of land in the new area may attend the ann…

• 18.
• 17Vote on dissolution

  17 (1) Where it is proposed that a board and a local roads area be dissolved, the proposal shall be put to a vote at an annual meeting, and the notice of such annual meeting shall outline the proposal. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 17 (1). Notification to Minister (2) Where the majority of owners present at an annual meeting approve a proposal that the board and its local roads area be dissolved, the secretary-treasurer shall forthwith forward to the Minister a copy of the proposal, together with a statement of the vote for and against the proposal, and the Minister, if the Minister considers it in the public interest so to do, may by order in writing dissolve the board and the local roads area. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 17 (2). Dissolution by Minister (3) Where a board and its secretary-treasurer fail to call an annual meeting as herein provided and no meeting is called under subsection 14 (2…

• 19.
• 18Liability for damages

  18 No action shall be brought against the Crown, a board or any trustee elected or appointed under this Act for damage caused by any default in the maintenance of a local road in a local roads area, and neither the Crown nor a board nor any such trustee is liable for any damage sustained by any person using such local road. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 18.

• 19. #20
• 20.
• 19Liability to assessment and taxation

  19 All land, as defined in the Assessment Act, in a local roads area is liable to taxation under this Act, subject to the exemptions from taxation enumerated in subsection 3 (1) of the Assessment Act and those enumerated in section 3 of the Provincial Land Tax Act, 2006. 2006, c. 33, Sched. Z.3, s. 16 (1). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2006, c. 33, Sched. Z.3, s. 16 (1) - 01/01/2009

• 19. #21
• 21.
• 19.1Voluntary payments re tax-exempt lands

  19.1 (1) If an owner of prescribed land in a local roads area wishes to make a payment to the relevant board to be spent for the purposes of carrying out work described in section 33, the owner may request approval from the Minister in respect of the amount. 2025, c. 14, Sched. 6, s. 2. Tax-exempt land (2) Land shall not be prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) unless it is land that is exempt from taxation in accordance with section 19. 2025, c. 14, Sched. 6, s. 2. Payment (3) If an owner mentioned in subsection (1) receives the Minister’s approval, the owner may make the payment to the board. 2025, c. 14, Sched. 6, s. 2. Regulations (4) The Minister may make regulations, (a) prescribing land for the purposes of subsection (1); (b) governing an approvals process for the purposes of subsection (1), which may include specifying criteria for the Minister to consider when determinin…

• 20. #22
• 22.
• 20Assessment of land

  20 The assessment made under the Assessment Act of land in a local roads area constitutes the assessment of the land for the purposes of this Act. 2006, c. 33, Sched. Z.3, s. 16 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2006, c. 33, Sched. Z.3, s. 16 (2) - 01/01/2009 Annual levy

• 20. #23
• 23.
• 21Definitions

  21 (1) In this section, “assessment” means the assessment for real property made under the Assessment Act according to the last returned roll; (“évaluation”) “property class” means a class of real property prescribed under the Assessment Act; (“catégorie de biens”) “residential property class” means the residential property class prescribed under the Assessment Act; (“catégorie des biens résidentiels”) “tax ratio” means a tax ratio described in subsection (7). (“coefficient d’impôt”) 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 2. Tax rates (2) Each year, the board shall levy a separate tax rate on the assessment in each property class in the local roads area of the board. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 2. Adjustments to assessments (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the assessment in each property class includes any adjustments made under section 32, 33, 34, 39.1 or 40 of the Assessment Act to the assessm…

• 24.
• 21. #25
• 22Minimum tax

  22 (1) The minimum annual tax imposed under this Act in respect of the land of any owner is the minimum annual tax approved by a majority of owners present at an annual meeting, but where there is no such approval, the minimum annual tax is $10. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 22 (1). Idem (2) Where a minimum annual tax is approved under subsection (1), that minimum annual tax as approved remains in effect until a further variation is approved at a subsequent annual meeting. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 22 (2).

• 25.
• 23Annual tax

  23 The tax levied under this Act in any year becomes due and is payable to the board on the 1st day of June in that year. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 23.

• 26.
• 24Tax bill

  24 (1) A tax bill shall be sent by the secretary-treasurer to every owner of land in the local roads area on or before the 1st day of June in the year in which the tax is payable. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 24 (1). Idem (2) The tax bill shall show the assessed value of the land, the tax rate, the amount of tax payable and such other matters as are prescribed. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 24 (2).

• 27.
• 25Local Roads Tax Register

  25 (1) The secretary-treasurer shall keep a register, to be known as the Local Roads Tax Register, in which the secretary-treasurer shall set down, (a) the name and address in full of every person in the local roads area assessed and taxed under this Act, a brief description of the land in respect of which such person is taxed, the amount of its assessment and taxation in each year, the amount of taxes paid from time to time and the balance of unpaid taxes, if any; and (b) the name and address in full of every person who has paid any amount under subsection 19.1 (3), a brief description of the land in respect of which such payment was made, the amount paid and the date on which payment was made. 2025, c. 14, Sched. 6, s. 3. Idem (2) The address of an owner in the register, where the owner has given the secretary-treasurer notice in writing of the address, shall be the address in such not…

• 28.
• 26Penalty on unpaid tax

  26 (1) Where any tax under this Act remains unpaid on the 1st day of August in the year in which it is payable, a penalty of 10 per cent shall be added thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 26 (1). Idem (2) Where any tax or penalty remains unpaid on the 1st day of August in the year next following the year in which it is payable, a penalty of 10 per cent shall be added thereto, and, where the whole or any part of such tax or penalties remains unpaid on the 1st day of August in any subsequent year, a further penalty of 10 per cent of the taxes and penalties remaining unpaid shall be added thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 26 (2). Idem (3) Any penalty imposed under this section shall be deemed to be tax due and payable under this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 26 (3).

• 29.
• 27Who liable for taxes

  27 (1) The taxes and penalties due upon any land with costs may be recovered as a debt due to the board from the owner originally assessed therefor and from any subsequent owner of the whole or any part thereof, saving the owner’s recourse against any other person, and are a special lien on the land in priority to every claim, privilege, lien or encumbrance of every person except the Crown, and the lien and its priority are not lost or impaired by any neglect, omission or error of the board or of any person appointed or assigned to any work in the course of the administration of this Act, or by want of registration. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 27 (1). Action for recovery of taxes and penalties (2) The secretary-treasurer, with the approval of the board, may bring an action on behalf of and in the name of the board for the recovery of taxes and penalties due upon any lands in any court of co…

• 30.
• 28Delivery of tax bills

  28 A tax bill or a notice required to be sent under this Act shall be sent by mail to the address of the owner or his or her agent as shown on the register. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 28; 2006, c. 19, Sched. T, s. 8. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2006, c. 19, Sched. T, s. 8 - 22/06/2006

• 31.
• 29Billing joint owners, etc.

  29 (1) Where land is owned by two or more persons, either jointly or otherwise, a secretary-treasurer may send notices and tax bills issued under this Act to such part-owner as is designated by the other part-owners, and, where the part-owners fail to designate a part-owner for this purpose or where they fail to agree on which part-owner should be designated, a secretary-treasurer may select a part-owner to whom such notices and tax bills may be sent. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 29 (1). Idem (2) Where a secretary-treasurer designates the part-owner to whom such notices and tax bills may be sent, the secretary-treasurer shall notify the other part-owners of the designation. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 29 (2). Idem (3) Notices and tax bills sent to a part-owner designated under subsection (1) shall be deemed to have been sent to the other part-owners. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 29 (3).

• 32.
• 29.1Delegation re tax collection

  29.1 (1) A board may enter into an agreement with the Minister of Finance providing for the delegation to the Minister of Finance of the board’s powers under this Act to collect tax. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 3 (1). Timing (1.1) An agreement must be entered into no later than December 1 of the year preceding the first taxation year to which the delegation applies. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 3 (1). Transition (1.2) Despite subsection (1.1), an agreement for a delegation that applies to the 2009 taxation year may be entered into at any time during the 2009 taxation year that the Minister of Finance considers appropriate. 2009, c. 18, Sched. 16, s. 1. Effect of delegation (2) When a delegation applies in respect of a taxation year, sections 23 to 29 do not apply for the year and the Minister of Finance may collect the tax under the Provincial Land Tax Act, 2006 as if it was tax imposed under…

• 33.
• 30Remission to Minister

  30 The secretary-treasurer shall remit to the Minister an amount equal to the total of, (a) the amount of the tax money received by the secretary-treasurer from the owners of land within the local roads area less the amount required to defray the incidental expenses and administrative costs of the secretary-treasurer and of the board; and (b) the amount of the money received by the secretary-treasurer under subsection 19.1 (3). 2025, c. 14, Sched. 6, s. 4. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 14, Sched. 6, s. 4 - 27/11/2025

• 34.
• 31Credits

  31 (1) The money received by the Minister from a board shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund and credited to that board, and the Minister shall cause to be credited to that board, out of money appropriated therefor by the Legislature, an amount not exceeding twice the amount of the money so received. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 4. Same, tax collectable by the Minister of Finance (1.1) Upon receiving written notice from the Minister of Finance of the amount of tax collectable by the Minister of Finance for a board in respect of a taxation year under an agreement authorized by section 29.1, the Minister shall cause that amount to be credited to the board and the Minister may cause an amount not exceeding twice that amount to be credited to the board out of money appropriated therefor by the Legislature. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 4. Idem (2) For the purpose of determining the amoun…

• 35.
• 32Credits re unoccupied Crown land

  32 (1) In addition to the amounts credited to a board by the Minister under section 31, the Minister may annually credit to a board in respect of unoccupied Crown land fronting on a local road in the local roads area an amount equal to the lesser of, (a) the amount prescribed by the regulations; or (b) twice the amount remitted to the Minister by the board under section 30 or, if the board has entered into an agreement under section 29.1, twice the amount of tax collectable by the Minister of Finance under subsection 31 (1.1). 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 5. Same (2) Amounts credited under subsection (1) shall be paid out of money appropriated therefor by the Legislature. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 5. Regulations (3) The Minister may make regulations prescribing an amount for the purposes of clause (1) (a). 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 5. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2008, c. 1…

• 36.
• 33Expenditure of money

  33 (1) The Minister shall cause the amounts credited to each board to be spent on the local roads area in carrying out work determined by the board and approved by the Minister under section 10, or in acquiring right-of-way for roads. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 33 (1); 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 6. Powers (2) For any of the purposes of this Act, the Minister may exercise any powers of the Minister under Part I of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, including the power to expropriate land. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 33 (2). Land vested in Crown (3) All land heretofore or hereafter acquired under subsection (2) is vested in the Crown in right of Ontario and is under the jurisdiction and control of the Minister and when no longer required for the purposes of this Act may be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of by the Minister. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 33 (3). Section Amendmen…

• 37.
• 32. #38
• 33.1Advance re tax not yet collectable by the Minister of Finance

  33.1 (1) Upon request by the Minister, the Minister of Finance may authorize an advance to be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the Minister in respect of a board if both the following circumstances exist: 1. The Minister of Finance is authorized by an agreement under section 29.1 to collect the tax for the board for the taxation year. 2. The tax is not yet collectable. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 7; 2009, c. 18, Sched. 16, s. 2. Amount of advance (2) The amount of the advance is as determined by the Minister of Finance. 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 7. Authority to spend (3) The Minister is authorized to spend the amount advanced in respect of a board for a purpose described in subsection 33 (1). 2008, c. 19, Sched. M, s. 7; 2009, c. 18, Sched. 16, s. 2. Recovery of advance (4) When an amount is credited to the board under subsection 31 (1.1) for the taxation year, the amount advance…

• 38.
• 34Audit

  34 (1) A board may engage a licensed public accountant to audit its accounts and transactions, including the account maintained by the Minister, and to make a report to it, and the accountant’s fee shall be paid by the Minister out of the money held by the Minister to the credit of the board. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 34 (1); 2004, c. 8, s. 47 (1). Idem (2) The Minister may at any time cause the accounts and transactions of a board to be audited. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 34 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2004, c. 8, s. 47 (1) - 01/11/2005

• 35Notice of forfeiture

  35 (1) Where any part of the tax imposed under this Act remains unpaid for a period of two years or more, the board may cause to be filed in the proper land registry office a caution in the prescribed form, and thereupon the secretary-treasurer shall send by registered mail a notice to the owner and to every person appearing from search or inquiry at the proper land registry or sheriff’s office to be owner of the land in respect of which the default has been made, and to every person appearing from such search or inquiry to have an interest therein, stating that, unless the total amount of tax and penalties due and payable under this Act and the prescribed costs are paid within twelve months of the mailing of the notice, the land and every interest therein will be liable to be forfeited to and to be vested in the Crown. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 35 (1). Idem (2) Where no letters patent fr…

• 36Land forfeited in error

  36 Where land has been forfeited to the Crown in error under this Act, the Minister of Natural Resources, by a certificate under the Minister’s hand, may annul the forfeiture in so far as it has reference to land forfeited to the Crown in error, and thereupon such land reverts to the owner of the land at the time of forfeiture, the owner’s heirs, successors or assigns, subject to any lien, mortgage or charge, as if the forfeiture had never occurred. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 36.

• 37Regulations

  37 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations, (a) prescribing forms and providing for their use; (b) prescribing matters, other than those specified in subsection 24 (2), that shall be shown on tax bills; (c) prescribing the rate of assessment for buildings, other than dwellings, for the purposes of subsection 20 (4); (d) prescribing the costs to be paid under subsection 35 (1); (e) respecting any matter necessary or advisable to carry out effectively the intent and purpose of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.27, s. 37.

• 38Repealed

  38 Repealed: 2025, c. 14, Sched. 6, s. 5. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 14, Sched. 6, s. 5 - 27/11/2025 ______________