Legal Insights That Matter

Lidstone & Company News & Articles

Stay informed with our legal commentary, insights, and exclusive newsletters covering the latest in municipal law, governance, and policy.

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Lidstone & Company Welcomes Michael Hargraves as Senior Counsel

Lidstone & Company Welcomes Michael Hargraves as Senior Counsel

Lidstone & Company is pleased to announce the addition of Michael Hargraves as the firm’s new Senior Counsel starting October 27, 2025. Michael has been practising law in British Columbia for over 20 years. Since 2007, he has dedicated his practice to acting for local governments in a solicitor’s role. That time includes many years in private practice as outside counsel as well as significant in-house service. Michael was Municipal Solicitor for the District of Saanich from 2017-2022.

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October 29, 2025

Lidstone & Company is pleased to announce the addition of Michael Hargraves as the firm’s new Senior Counsel starting October 27, 2025. Michael has been practising law in British Columbia for over 20 years. Since 2007, he has dedicated his practice to acting for local governments in a solicitor’s role. That time includes many years in private practice as outside counsel as well as significant in-house service. Michael was Municipal Solicitor for the District of Saanich from 2017-2022.

September 3, 2025

Lidstone & Company is pleased to announce the addition of Tomasz Zworski as the firm’s new Senior Counsel starting September 2, 2025. Tom has spent his entire legal career representing local governments as well as individual elected officials, municipal staff, and police officers. For the last 15 years, Tom was the City Solicitor at the City of Victoria. Before that, Tom articled and practiced at the City of Vancouver’s law department.

June 26, 2025

As municipalities across Alberta grapple with the challenge of homeless encampments, one pressing issue is dealing with homeless encampments on vacant municipal land. These situations raise concerns about disorder and criminal behavior and require municipalities to consider their options for managing encampments in these circumstances. This article provides an overview of the obligations municipalities have regarding the removal of home.

June 29, 2024

In today’s world, artificial intelligence or “AI” is everywhere — powering our smartphones, managing our social media feeds, and even driving our cars. Yet, many people may not fully understand what AI is or its potential impact on their lives. Local governments are also increasingly confronting and harnessing the use of AI, both as a workplace and as a service provider.

October 29, 2023

Processes not needed or contemplated prior to the current housing crisis. While most of the causes and concerns arise from things far beyond the control of local government, such as interest rates, supply chain crises, provincial agency response times, labour shortages, federal and provincial taxes, developer abandonment due to financial risk, and other things, there are some measures that local governments can adopt to reduce any suggestion that they are part of the problem.

May 25, 2023

The Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) clarified the law of “constructive taking” in Annapolis Group Inc. v. Halifax Regional Municipality. Annapolis Group Inc. (“Annapolis”) began purchasing land in the Halifax area in the 1950s and, over time, acquired 965 acres which it intended to develop and sell.

Recent Newsletters

June 2025 Alberta Law Letter

Addressing Homelessness Encampments

As municipalities across Alberta grapple with the challenge of homeless encampments, one pressing issue is dealing with homeless encampments on vacant municipal land. These situations raise concerns about disorder and criminal behavior and require municipalities to consider their options for managing encampments in these circumstances. This article provides an overview of the obligations municipalities have regarding the removal of home.