The City of Windsor is claiming victory following a ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada over boarded-up homes in west Windsor.
The country's highest court sided with the city that the Superior Court of Justice and not the federal court is the proper forum to hear the issue.
The Canadian Transit Company, which owns the 114 homes in question, had appealed various property standards orders by the city to maintain the properties.
The issue ultimately ended up at the Supreme Court which ruled it belongs at the Ontario Superior Court.
Mayor Dilkens hopes the Ontario Superior Court will hear the issue next year.
"The decision does not determine the fate of the homes on Indian and Edison and elsewhere," said Dilkens. "The Superior Court of Justice is the proper authority for dealing with the property standards appeals by the CTC and we are now certain the Supreme Court agrees with us."
There is no ability for the CTC to appeal today's decision.
Mayor Dilkens says, as part of the ruling, the CTC will have to pay some of the city's legal costs.
"It was a side show and a delay tactic and it was great to see the Supreme Court agreed that that was the case as well and, in so agreeing, awarded costs against the Ambassador Bridge and in favour of the city."
The case has been before various courts for the past three years.
The Supreme Court also pointed out there is no basis for further delaying the Superior Court proceedings.
.@CityWindsorON Mayor @drewdilkens is pleased with Supreme Court ruling siding with city on the west end homes. #cklw pic.twitter.com/bqT7WbnrYO
— Teresinha Medeiros (@tmedeiros800) December 8, 2016
Mayor Dilkens admits today's Supreme Court ruling does not determine the outcome of the boarded up homes. #cklw
— Teresinha Medeiros (@tmedeiros800) December 8, 2016
The boarded up homes issue has been before the courts for 3 years. Today's ruling "determines the forum" to make a final decision. #cklw
— Teresinha Medeiros (@tmedeiros800) December 8, 2016