51 Taylor Avenue, Chatham, is a two story, 12 unit residential building that operated for years as a “drug house”. Between 2002 and 2007, over 300 documented police incidents, over 20 search warrants, nearly 50 arrests and over 115 charges were laid with respect to activity in and around 51 Taylor Ave Chatham. As such, the Intelligence Unit of the Chatham Kent Police Service undertook the task of finding alternative methods to combat this problem, that was not only affecting the immediate area, but also the community as a whole.
On August 10, 2007, the office of the Attorney General of Ontario commenced an application under the Civil Remedies Act, seeking forfeiture of 51 Taylor Ave Chatham. On August 13, 2007, the Attorney General obtained a Preservation Order against the property.
The application was argued before the Honourable Thomas J. of the Superior Court of Justice. On November 27, 2012, Thomas J. ordered that 51 Taylor Ave Chatham be forfeited under the Civil Remedies Act. The owner of 51 Taylor appealed the order to the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
On May 16, 2014, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.
The owner sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. On December 4, 2014, the Supreme Court dismissed the leave to appeal.
In April 2015, the owner’s final appeal attempt was rejected by the Supreme Court of Canada, thereby bringing the litigation to a final conclusion.
The Crown in right of Ontario, as the lawful owner, sold the property in May, and the net proceeds from sale will be redistributed by the Province of Ontario in accordance with the Civil Remedies Act.