Kenricia Revitalization Project Update City Moving to Certificate of Approval Stage

The City of Kenora initiated the process to expropriate the historic Kenricia Hotel on July 24, 2025, as part of its efforts to revitalize Kenora’s downtown core.  The initiative aims to create a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving community space for residents and visitors alike.

The process of expropriation follows the Expropriations Act of Ontario.  Key steps in the process that have taken place thus for include:

1. Council Resolution – July 24, 2025
2. Notice of Application – July 24, 2025
3. Hearing of Necessity – Closing statements February 27, 2026

On April 25, 2026, The City of Kenora received the report written by the Vice Chair Middleton from the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) who oversaw the Hearing of Necessity.  The purpose of a Hearing of Necessity was to determine if the City has the statutory authority to expropriate the land and building and if it is fair and reasonable for the City to do so for the purposes that include community improvement and heritage preservation.   Vice Chair Middleton’s conclusion was the City’s grounds to expropriate are clear and that:

“In the absence of any definite alternative, beyond speculative notions about the possibility of future collaboration from one or more financial partners (where none has succeeded previously for more than 20 years), the Tribunal accepts that the Expropriation is fair, sound and reasonably necessary for the stated purposes of community improvement and heritage rehabilitation and restoration of the hotel. This is a legitimate municipal purpose which the City is entitled to pursue”