Jason W. Reynar
Partner
Jason is a trusted advisor to municipalities and public sector organizations across Ontario. With nearly two decades of executive and legal leadership experience, Jason advises on governance, land use, restructuring, and complex municipal issues.
Areas of Expertise
Municipal Law and Governance
Public Sector Strategy and Restructuring
Land Use Planning and Development
Shared Services and Public-Private Partnerships
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
External General Counsel Services
Contract Negotiation and Procurement
Integrity, Conduct, and Election Matters
Information Privacy and Data Governance
Mediation and Dispute Resolution
Education
Admitted to the Ontario Bar (2008)
Master of Business Administration (2017), Schulich School of Business, York University
Master of Law with Municipal Specialization (2013), Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
Bachelor of Laws (2007), Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (2004), University of Guelph (full scholarship) (major: Criminal Justice & Public Policy; minor: Business Administration)
Advanced Interpersonal Mediation Certificate (2005), St. Stephen’s Community House, Toronto
Accredited Director (2016), Chartered Governance Institute of Canada
Holocracy Practitioner (2018) [self-managed corporate structure], New York
Master Certificate in Municipal Leadership (2021), Schulich School of Business, York University
Education
Admitted to the Ontario Bar (2008)
Master of Business Administration (2017), Schulich School of Business, York University
Master of Law with Municipal Specialization (2013), Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
Bachelor of Laws (2007), Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (2004), University of Guelph (full scholarship) (major: Criminal Justice & Public Policy; minor: Business Administration)
Advanced Interpersonal Mediation Certificate (2005), St. Stephen’s Community House, Toronto
Accredited Director (2016), Chartered Governance Institute of Canada
Holocracy Practitioner (2018) [self-managed corporate structure], New York
Master Certificate in Municipal Leadership (2021), Schulich School of Business, York University
Education
Admitted to the Ontario Bar (2008)
Master of Business Administration (2017), Schulich School of Business, York University
Master of Law with Municipal Specialization (2013), Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
Bachelor of Laws (2007), Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (2004), University of Guelph (full scholarship) (major: Criminal Justice & Public Policy; minor: Business Administration)
Advanced Interpersonal Mediation Certificate (2005), St. Stephen’s Community House, Toronto
Accredited Director (2016), Chartered Governance Institute of Canada
Holocracy Practitioner (2018) [self-managed corporate structure], New York
Master Certificate in Municipal Leadership (2021), Schulich School of Business, York University
Select Presentations and Publications
Moderator & Presenter, Canadian Urban Institute’s State of Cities Summit: “Municipal Innovation: Overcoming Restraints & Seizing Opportunities” Ottawa, December 6, 2024.
Guest Lecturer, Master’s of Public Policy, Administration & Law Class, “Municipal Innovation”, York University, October 21, 2024.
Presenter, Canadian Urban Institute: “Is this the mid-size city’s moment?” Virtual, June 17, 2021.
Presenter, AMCTO Leaders’ Forum: The Future of Tomorrow`s Communities, “Building the Future Public Experience for Municipal Services,” Virtual, October 9, 2020.
Presenter, National Public Sector Conference of the Chartered Professional Accountants: “Disruptive Technologies,” Shaw Convention Centre, Ottawa, October 29, 2019.
Keynote Address, Improved Transportation: Moving Together!, OntarioTech University, Oshawa, October 16, 2019.
Keynote Address, ReMAP (Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process) Annual General Meeting, ventureLAB, IBM Convergence Centre, Markham, June 4, 2019.
Keynote Address, Ontario Expropriations Association Spring Conference, Toronto, June 6, 2019.
Facilitator/Presenter, Leadership Team Workshop: “Innovative Leadership,” Huntsville, March 2019.
Presenter, Rural Ontario Municipal Association Annual Conference: “Transit for Rural Regions: Connecting People and Places Over Large Distances,” Toronto, January 2019.
Presenter, AMCTO 2018 Municipal Finance Forum: “Public Private Partnership - Innovative Case Studies,” Toronto, December 2018.
Presenter, University of Western Ontario’s Local Government Conference: Interrupted, “Interrupting the Status Quo: what are the roles of politicians, administration, academia, and the private sector in fostering innovation in public service,” London, November 2018.
Presenter, TedX Collingwood: “Innovation in Local Government,” Collingwood, October 2018.
Presenter, Municipal Innovators Conference: “Innovating Infrastructure in Mid-Size Cities,” Calgary, September 2018.
Presenter, AMCTO Leaders’ Forum: Managing the Municipality of the Future: “Regulating and Leveraging Business Disruptors,” Toronto, March 2018.
Presenter, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s Annual Conference: “Sharing Economy: Alternative Applications,” Niagara Falls, November 2017.
Presenter, Municipal Law Departments’ Fall Workshop: “Innisfil Uber Transit Partnership: Our Insights (So Far),” Niagara Falls, October 2017.
Presenter, Ontario Municipal Leadership Institute Workshops: “The Legal Framework of Municipal Councils,” 2014-2015.
Presenter, Canadian Bar Association’s Annual Canadian Legal Conference: “Closed Meetings,” St. John’s, Newfoundland, August 2014.
Presenter, International Municipal Lawyers Association's Annual Conference: “Clerks Contribute: Council Closed Meetings,” San Francisco, California, September 30, 2013.
Jason Reynar, “`Tis Right to Record in Detail? Balancing Ethical and Legal Considerations of Municipal Council Closed Sessions Minutes,” (2013) 6 Municipal & Planning Law Review (5th) 181.
Jason Reynar, “Transparent Municipal Governance: When Must a Meeting be Open?” (2011) 88 M.P.L.R. (4th) 68.
Recipient of the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s Canadian Scholarship to present “Transparent Municipal Governance: When Must a Meeting be Open?” at its annual conference in Chicago, September 14, 2011.
James Newland, Brian Moher & Jason Reynar, “A Touch of Dutch: Group Actions in the Netherlands,” Class Actions, Federated Press, Spring 2008.
Select Presentations and Publications
Moderator & Presenter, Canadian Urban Institute’s State of Cities Summit: “Municipal Innovation: Overcoming Restraints & Seizing Opportunities” Ottawa, December 6, 2024.
Guest Lecturer, Master’s of Public Policy, Administration & Law Class, “Municipal Innovation”, York University, October 21, 2024.
Presenter, Canadian Urban Institute: “Is this the mid-size city’s moment?” Virtual, June 17, 2021.
Presenter, AMCTO Leaders’ Forum: The Future of Tomorrow`s Communities, “Building the Future Public Experience for Municipal Services,” Virtual, October 9, 2020.
Presenter, National Public Sector Conference of the Chartered Professional Accountants: “Disruptive Technologies,” Shaw Convention Centre, Ottawa, October 29, 2019.
Keynote Address, Improved Transportation: Moving Together!, OntarioTech University, Oshawa, October 16, 2019.
Keynote Address, ReMAP (Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process) Annual General Meeting, ventureLAB, IBM Convergence Centre, Markham, June 4, 2019.
Keynote Address, Ontario Expropriations Association Spring Conference, Toronto, June 6, 2019.
Facilitator/Presenter, Leadership Team Workshop: “Innovative Leadership,” Huntsville, March 2019.
Presenter, Rural Ontario Municipal Association Annual Conference: “Transit for Rural Regions: Connecting People and Places Over Large Distances,” Toronto, January 2019.
Presenter, AMCTO 2018 Municipal Finance Forum: “Public Private Partnership - Innovative Case Studies,” Toronto, December 2018.
Presenter, University of Western Ontario’s Local Government Conference: Interrupted, “Interrupting the Status Quo: what are the roles of politicians, administration, academia, and the private sector in fostering innovation in public service,” London, November 2018.
Presenter, TedX Collingwood: “Innovation in Local Government,” Collingwood, October 2018.
Presenter, Municipal Innovators Conference: “Innovating Infrastructure in Mid-Size Cities,” Calgary, September 2018.
Presenter, AMCTO Leaders’ Forum: Managing the Municipality of the Future: “Regulating and Leveraging Business Disruptors,” Toronto, March 2018.
Presenter, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s Annual Conference: “Sharing Economy: Alternative Applications,” Niagara Falls, November 2017.
Presenter, Municipal Law Departments’ Fall Workshop: “Innisfil Uber Transit Partnership: Our Insights (So Far),” Niagara Falls, October 2017.
Presenter, Ontario Municipal Leadership Institute Workshops: “The Legal Framework of Municipal Councils,” 2014-2015.
Presenter, Canadian Bar Association’s Annual Canadian Legal Conference: “Closed Meetings,” St. John’s, Newfoundland, August 2014.
Presenter, International Municipal Lawyers Association's Annual Conference: “Clerks Contribute: Council Closed Meetings,” San Francisco, California, September 30, 2013.
Jason Reynar, “`Tis Right to Record in Detail? Balancing Ethical and Legal Considerations of Municipal Council Closed Sessions Minutes,” (2013) 6 Municipal & Planning Law Review (5th) 181.
Jason Reynar, “Transparent Municipal Governance: When Must a Meeting be Open?” (2011) 88 M.P.L.R. (4th) 68.
Recipient of the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s Canadian Scholarship to present “Transparent Municipal Governance: When Must a Meeting be Open?” at its annual conference in Chicago, September 14, 2011.
James Newland, Brian Moher & Jason Reynar, “A Touch of Dutch: Group Actions in the Netherlands,” Class Actions, Federated Press, Spring 2008.
Select Presentations and Publications
Moderator & Presenter, Canadian Urban Institute’s State of Cities Summit: “Municipal Innovation: Overcoming Restraints & Seizing Opportunities” Ottawa, December 6, 2024.
Guest Lecturer, Master’s of Public Policy, Administration & Law Class, “Municipal Innovation”, York University, October 21, 2024.
Presenter, Canadian Urban Institute: “Is this the mid-size city’s moment?” Virtual, June 17, 2021.
Presenter, AMCTO Leaders’ Forum: The Future of Tomorrow`s Communities, “Building the Future Public Experience for Municipal Services,” Virtual, October 9, 2020.
Presenter, National Public Sector Conference of the Chartered Professional Accountants: “Disruptive Technologies,” Shaw Convention Centre, Ottawa, October 29, 2019.
Keynote Address, Improved Transportation: Moving Together!, OntarioTech University, Oshawa, October 16, 2019.
Keynote Address, ReMAP (Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process) Annual General Meeting, ventureLAB, IBM Convergence Centre, Markham, June 4, 2019.
Keynote Address, Ontario Expropriations Association Spring Conference, Toronto, June 6, 2019.
Facilitator/Presenter, Leadership Team Workshop: “Innovative Leadership,” Huntsville, March 2019.
Presenter, Rural Ontario Municipal Association Annual Conference: “Transit for Rural Regions: Connecting People and Places Over Large Distances,” Toronto, January 2019.
Presenter, AMCTO 2018 Municipal Finance Forum: “Public Private Partnership - Innovative Case Studies,” Toronto, December 2018.
Presenter, University of Western Ontario’s Local Government Conference: Interrupted, “Interrupting the Status Quo: what are the roles of politicians, administration, academia, and the private sector in fostering innovation in public service,” London, November 2018.
Presenter, TedX Collingwood: “Innovation in Local Government,” Collingwood, October 2018.
Presenter, Municipal Innovators Conference: “Innovating Infrastructure in Mid-Size Cities,” Calgary, September 2018.
Presenter, AMCTO Leaders’ Forum: Managing the Municipality of the Future: “Regulating and Leveraging Business Disruptors,” Toronto, March 2018.
Presenter, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s Annual Conference: “Sharing Economy: Alternative Applications,” Niagara Falls, November 2017.
Presenter, Municipal Law Departments’ Fall Workshop: “Innisfil Uber Transit Partnership: Our Insights (So Far),” Niagara Falls, October 2017.
Presenter, Ontario Municipal Leadership Institute Workshops: “The Legal Framework of Municipal Councils,” 2014-2015.
Presenter, Canadian Bar Association’s Annual Canadian Legal Conference: “Closed Meetings,” St. John’s, Newfoundland, August 2014.
Presenter, International Municipal Lawyers Association's Annual Conference: “Clerks Contribute: Council Closed Meetings,” San Francisco, California, September 30, 2013.
Jason Reynar, “`Tis Right to Record in Detail? Balancing Ethical and Legal Considerations of Municipal Council Closed Sessions Minutes,” (2013) 6 Municipal & Planning Law Review (5th) 181.
Jason Reynar, “Transparent Municipal Governance: When Must a Meeting be Open?” (2011) 88 M.P.L.R. (4th) 68.
Recipient of the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s Canadian Scholarship to present “Transparent Municipal Governance: When Must a Meeting be Open?” at its annual conference in Chicago, September 14, 2011.
James Newland, Brian Moher & Jason Reynar, “A Touch of Dutch: Group Actions in the Netherlands,” Class Actions, Federated Press, Spring 2008.
Representative Work
Establishing the first municipal services corporation in Ontario to own water and wastewater assets.
Creating the global-first public transit system powered by ridesharing – see TedX Talk.
Collaborating to create unique partnerships, corporate structures, or special purposes entities (e.g. health and wellness).
Overseeing the largest inland marina resort development in North America.
Creating affordable housing initiatives that ensure long-term, below-market ownership costs.
Establishing the first municipal acceptance of cryptocurrency for the payment of real property taxes.
Representative Work
Establishing the first municipal services corporation in Ontario to own water and wastewater assets.
Creating the global-first public transit system powered by ridesharing – see TedX Talk.
Collaborating to create unique partnerships, corporate structures, or special purposes entities (e.g. health and wellness).
Overseeing the largest inland marina resort development in North America.
Creating affordable housing initiatives that ensure long-term, below-market ownership costs.
Establishing the first municipal acceptance of cryptocurrency for the payment of real property taxes.
Representative Work
Establishing the first municipal services corporation in Ontario to own water and wastewater assets.
Creating the global-first public transit system powered by ridesharing – see TedX Talk.
Collaborating to create unique partnerships, corporate structures, or special purposes entities (e.g. health and wellness).
Overseeing the largest inland marina resort development in North America.
Creating affordable housing initiatives that ensure long-term, below-market ownership costs.
Establishing the first municipal acceptance of cryptocurrency for the payment of real property taxes.
Jason’s Services
Annexation and boundary issues
Closed-meeting investigations
Code of conduct reviews and training
Conflict of interest advice, training, and integrity commissioner advice and complaint investigations
Contract drafting and review (e.g. municipal capital facility agreements)
Data governance and management
Deal structuring and advice
Election issues (e.g. recounts, fraud allegations)
Enabling economic development (e.g. scope of authority, partnership agreements)
Fire and other emergency services restructuring
General Counsel (external)
Good governance training and advice
Incentive structures (e.g. advancing affordable housing)
Information privacy and appeals to the Information and Privacy Commissioner
Land use planning and development
Licensing and approval authority reviews
Negotiating agreements with agencies, boards and commissions (e.g. conservation authorities and libraries)
Policy and bylaw review
Procurement advice and acceleration
Public-private partnerships
Shared service agreements
Strategy and negotiation advice
Structuring municipal services corporations and other utility matters
Ward boundary reviews
Jason’s Services
Annexation and boundary issues
Closed-meeting investigations
Code of conduct reviews and training
Conflict of interest advice, training, and integrity commissioner advice and complaint investigations
Contract drafting and review (e.g. municipal capital facility agreements)
Data governance and management
Deal structuring and advice
Election issues (e.g. recounts, fraud allegations)
Enabling economic development (e.g. scope of authority, partnership agreements)
Fire and other emergency services restructuring
General Counsel (external)
Good governance training and advice
Incentive structures (e.g. advancing affordable housing)
Information privacy and appeals to the Information and Privacy Commissioner
Land use planning and development
Licensing and approval authority reviews
Negotiating agreements with agencies, boards and commissions (e.g. conservation authorities and libraries)
Policy and bylaw review
Procurement advice and acceleration
Public-private partnerships
Shared service agreements
Strategy and negotiation advice
Structuring municipal services corporations and other utility matters
Ward boundary reviews
Jason’s Services
Annexation and boundary issues
Closed-meeting investigations
Code of conduct reviews and training
Conflict of interest advice, training, and integrity commissioner advice and complaint investigations
Contract drafting and review (e.g. municipal capital facility agreements)
Data governance and management
Deal structuring and advice
Election issues (e.g. recounts, fraud allegations)
Enabling economic development (e.g. scope of authority, partnership agreements)
Fire and other emergency services restructuring
General Counsel (external)
Good governance training and advice
Incentive structures (e.g. advancing affordable housing)
Information privacy and appeals to the Information and Privacy Commissioner
Land use planning and development
Licensing and approval authority reviews
Negotiating agreements with agencies, boards and commissions (e.g. conservation authorities and libraries)
Policy and bylaw review
Procurement advice and acceleration
Public-private partnerships
Shared service agreements
Strategy and negotiation advice
Structuring municipal services corporations and other utility matters
Ward boundary reviews
Trusted Public Sector Legal and Governance Advisor and Advocate
Jason Reynar, a partner in the Toronto office, brings an unparalleled blend of legal expertise and executive leadership experience to his municipal and public sector advisory practice at Lerners. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Jason has held pivotal roles in the public sector, including Chief Administrative Officer, Municipal Solicitor, Municipal Clerk, Board Chair, and Vice President (Strategy). Advising on and managing complex municipal projects with substantial budgets ($1 billion), he has driven significant advancements in urban development, infrastructure, and quality of life for communities across Ontario.
Directly experienced with the intricate legal and governance issues associated with successful advocacy, negotiation, and public sector (re)structuring, Jason is an invaluable and trusted advisor for municipalities and other public sector entities looking to grow sustainably while navigating shifting legislative and regulatory environments. His visionary
Highly responsive, Jason understands that clients need expert advice in a timely and efficient manner; to him, service excellence is paramount.
Jason offers expert mediation services as part of his practice, including supporting the resolution of land development disputes and shared service agreement challenges. Drawing on his extensive municipal and legal experience, Jason works collaboratively with all parties to facilitate fair, efficient, and cost-effective resolutions. His deep understanding of the complexities of municipal processes and proceedings allows him to offer tailored, practical solutions that meet the needs of municipalities, developers, service providers, and other key stakeholders.
Jason Reynar, a partner in the Toronto office, brings an unparalleled blend of legal expertise and executive leadership experience to his municipal and public sector advisory practice at Lerners. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Jason has held pivotal roles in the public sector, including Chief Administrative Officer, Municipal Solicitor, Municipal Clerk, Board Chair, and Vice President (Strategy). Advising on and managing complex municipal projects with substantial budgets ($1 billion), he has driven significant advancements in urban development, infrastructure, and quality of life for communities across Ontario.
Directly experienced with the intricate legal and governance issues associated with successful advocacy, negotiation, and public sector (re)structuring, Jason is an invaluable and trusted advisor for municipalities and other public sector entities looking to grow sustainably while navigating shifting legislative and regulatory environments. His visionary approach and commitment to providing well-researched advice, fostering innovation, and supporting fiscal sustainability, have earned him recognition and respect across the municipal sector.
Highly responsive, Jason understands that clients need expert advice in a timely and efficient manner; to him, service excellence is paramount.
Jason offers expert mediation services as part of his practice, including supporting the resolution of land development disputes and shared service agreement challenges. Drawing on his extensive municipal and legal experience, Jason works collaboratively with all parties to facilitate fair, efficient, and cost-effective resolutions. His deep understanding of the complexities of municipal processes and proceedings allows him to offer tailored, practical solutions that meet the needs of municipalities, developers, service providers, and other key stakeholders.
Jason also offers his services as external General Counsel. The role involves providing timely and effective legal advice, services, and advocacy to support proactive risk management and regulatory compliance. It includes acting on an organization's behalf in negotiations, disputes, and hearings, helping to avoid costs, reduce liability exposure, and advance strategic objectives efficiently. Key responsibilities include serving as the primary legal contact for senior staff, ensuring legislative and regulatory compliance, assisting with governance, bylaw, and policy matters, advising on land use planning and development, drafting and negotiating contracts, representing the organization in disputes and litigation, advising on labour and employment law, supporting municipal finance and procurement processes, managing disclosure and privacy issues, and proactively identifying and mitigating risks to prevent liability.
Jason Reynar, a partner in the Toronto office, brings an unparalleled blend of legal expertise and executive leadership experience to his municipal and public sector advisory practice at Lerners. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Jason has held pivotal roles in the public sector, including Chief Administrative Officer, Municipal Solicitor, Municipal Clerk, Board Chair, and Vice President (Strategy). Advising on and managing complex municipal projects with substantial budgets ($1 billion), he has driven significant advancements in urban development, infrastructure, and quality of life for communities across Ontario.
Directly experienced with the intricate legal and governance issues associated with successful advocacy, negotiation, and public sector (re)structuring, Jason is an invaluable and trusted advisor for municipalities and other public sector entities looking to grow sustainably while navigating shifting legislative and regulatory environments. His visionary approach and commitment to providing well-researched advice, fostering innovation, and supporting fiscal sustainability, have earned him recognition and respect across the municipal sector.
Highly responsive, Jason understands that clients need expert advice in a timely and efficient manner; to him, service excellence is paramount.
Jason offers expert mediation services as part of his practice, including supporting the resolution of land development disputes and shared service agreement challenges. Drawing on his extensive municipal and legal experience, Jason works collaboratively with all parties to facilitate fair, efficient, and cost-effective resolutions. His deep understanding of the complexities of municipal processes and proceedings allows him to offer tailored, practical solutions that meet the needs of municipalities, developers, service providers, and other key stakeholders.
Jason also offers his services as external General Counsel. The role involves providing timely and effective legal advice, services, and advocacy to support proactive risk management and regulatory compliance. It includes acting on an organization's behalf in negotiations, disputes, and hearings, helping to avoid costs, reduce liability exposure, and advance strategic objectives efficiently. Key responsibilities include serving as the primary legal contact for senior staff, ensuring legislative and regulatory compliance, assisting with governance, bylaw, and policy matters, advising on land use planning and development, drafting and negotiating contracts, representing the organization in disputes and litigation, advising on labour and employment law, supporting municipal finance and procurement processes, managing disclosure and privacy issues, and proactively identifying and mitigating risks to prevent liability.
Reach Out
Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.
Reach Out
Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.
Reach Out
Everyone at Lerners is committed to ensuring your matters are addressed with the attention and care you expect.