The Court of Revision is an appeal body established under Section 97 of the Drainage Act.

The Act sets out a democratic process for constructing new drains or improving existing drains.  The basic idea is that property owners who benefit from a new or improved drain should pay their share toward the cost of construction. The Court of Revision for drainage works occurs before any construction can begin.

A Drainage report is prepared by a drainage engineer which outlines the proposed drainage works and includes a schedule of affected properties. Once the report is provisionally adopted by Council, a notice of Court of Revision is sent to all affected property owners. The purpose of the Court of Revision is to hear any objections to the charges being assessed to individual property owners as outlined in the report. Affected property owners may object to any charges being assessed by filing a Notice of Appeal with the Clerk within 10 days of the sitting of the Court of Revision.

The Court of Revision only has authority to change the schedule of assessments.  Members cannot make changes to the technical aspects of the engineers report.

Members of the Court of Revision may hear appeals on three grounds:

  • Land or road has been assessed too high or low
  • Land or road should have been assessed but has not
  • Due consideration was not given to the land's use

The Court of Revision hears these appeals and decides whether they are valid. 

Members of the Court:

  • Ayman Abouzeenni
  • Manpreet Brar
  • Bruce Durfy
  • Andrew Soulliere 
  • Peter La Porta

Mandate: 

The Court of Revision abides by its Terms of Reference (pdf) which includes:

  • The Court of Revision consists of five members 
  • Hears appeals on assessments as outlined in Sections 52 to 56 of the Drainage Act and makes final decisions as a Court
  • Hears all resident complaints regarding assessment matters
  • Conducts themselves fairly and without bias