Dentons, Canada’s Global Law Firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Sylvain Bélair as a partner in the Montréal office.

With extensive expertise in municipal planning and administrative law, Sylvain brings over 35 years of experience representing clients in high-profile complex matters, involving urban planning, expropriation and municipal taxation issues. 

“Joining the team at Dentons marks an exciting new chapter for me,” says Sylvain Bélair. “I’m joining an exceptional litigation and real estate team, and I look forward to leveraging the Dentons platform and my colleagues’ expertise to continue defending the best interest of my clients in Québec and across Canada.”

A highly respected lawyer, Sylvain has earned an outstanding reputation in the Québec market.

In municipal planning law, he advises and represents owners, developers, promoters and builders on all aspects of urban planning, including zoning by-laws, subdivision regulations and building by-laws. He participates in the negotiation of development protocols. He acts before the courts of all jurisdictions to control the exercise of their powers by public bodies, to force the issuance of permits or to claim damages for the actions of municipalities and other para- or supramunicipal public bodies.

In matters of expropriation, he represents the rights of private owners facing property expropriation for projects of public interest. Over the years, he has handled hundreds of expropriation cases, and has pleaded before the Tribunal administratif du Québec and the Superior Court to ensure that the expropriation of a property genuinely serve the public good and secure full and fair compensation for affected owners, accounting not only for property value but also for direct damages incurred.

In municipal taxation, he challenges property assessment attributed to buildings of all categories (office, commercial and industrial), generating substantial tax savings for clients. He is also regularly involved in matters concerning park service charges and transfer charges. When circumstances warrant, he also contests infrastructure taxes and tax basins.

“Sylvain’s addition enhances our municipal planning and administrative law capabilities, and reinforces our commitment to providing top-tier service to our clients,” says Christian Létourneau, Montréal Managing Partner. “His deep understanding of complex litigation matters, coupled with the opportunities his expertise brings in real estate, project development and infrastructure, will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve our clients in the Québec market.”

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