Sylvain Bélair

Practice Areas

Municipal Law and Expropriation

Expropriation

Urban Planning

Career

Known for his extensive expertise in municipal and administrative law, Sylvain Bélair is regularly called upon to represent and defend his clients’ interests before various administrative bodies and courts of law.

In the field of municipal taxation, Sylvain has contested tax assessments for industrial complexes, commercial buildings, retirement homes, hotel complexes, golf courses and vacant land awaiting development. Two of his notable cases include the Olympic Stadium and the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

In the area of expropriation, he has acted on behalf of owners and renters in many expropriation cases, including those related to Highway 30, Technoparc Saint-Laurent and the Turcot Interchange. He has also taken on cases related to residential or commercial regrouping and industrial park creation and expansion. He currently represents multiple owners whose properties have been expropriated for the Réseau express métropolitain, the blue line and the Vaudreuil-Soulanges regional hospital projects. He also represents multiple clients seeking damages for disguised expropriation before the Superior Court or the Federal Court. He often contests deed transfer charges levied on property transactions and park service charges levied following cadastral changes and permit requests.

Sylvain has extensive experience with litigation arising from the interpretation and application of municipal zoning, subdivision and construction regulations under the Act Respecting Land Use Planning and Development. He assists developers by negotiating and drafting memorandums of understanding for land enhancement and development. He is very involved in the firm’s internal operations and has served in various administrative roles over the years, including as team lead and member of the board of directors.

Professional Memberships

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, Association des évaluateurs municipaux du Québec

Member, Barreau du Québec

Member, Canadian Bar Association – Québec

Member, Canadian Property Tax Association

Member, Institut de développement urbain du Québec

INVOLVEMENTS

Advisory Committee member -- Economy and Public Finances, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal

Vice president of the Québec Chapter, Canadian Property Tax Association