The Property Standards Committee has the same powers as which court?

• A. Superior Court
• B. Ontario Court of Appeal
• C. Ontario Small Claims Court
• D. Federal Court

Answer: (C)

A Property Standards Committee functions as a quick, accessible adjudicatory body for enforcing by-law standards, with the ability to hear evidence, compel attendance, and issue binding orders to remedy non-compliance (and to award costs related to the proceedings). This setup is aligned with the Ontario Small Claims Court, which is designed for straightforward civil disputes heard without a jury and with the authority to issue binding decisions and costs within its jurisdiction. The other courts handle higher-stakes or different kinds of matters—such as appeals on legal questions, complex civil cases, or federal issues—so they don’t fit the committee’s regulatory role. Therefore, the Property Standards Committee has the same powers as the Ontario Small Claims Court.