ONTARIO BAR ASSOCIATION LAUCHES ELDER LAW SECTION
November 6, 2017 (TORONTO) - The Ontario Bar Association (OBA) welcomes the Elder Law section, dedicated to the unique legal needs of seniors who now, first the first time in history, outnumber the children living in Canada, according to the 2016 census.
With 5.9 million Canadians aged 65 and older, the section can support the needs of this population through education to the profession in legal matters that concern the elderly; advocating for and collaborating with other stakeholders regarding the needs of the seniors; and building a network of lawyers that have expertise and commitment to the older population.
“The OBA is committed to ensuring that Ontario lawyers represent and have the expertise to meet the needs of the public we serve,” said OBA President Quinn Ross. “The addition of the Elder Law Section is a great example of responding to the realities and the changes occurring in society.”
“During my years as the Chair of the Family Law Section, I saw many issues arise that concerned the elderly population, however these issues did not fall squarely in the mandate of any one OBA Section,” said Steven Benmor, Chair of the new Elder Law section at the OBA. “It is with gratitude and admiration that I announce our Executive Committee, made up of some of the most knowledgeable and experienced legal minds serving seniors in Ontario.”
- more -
The following are just some of the legal issues that have arisen in the field of Elder Law:
- Housing in provincial long-term care facilities, nursing homes, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, acute care homes and in private residences
- Physical abuse, exploitation, mistreatment and injury of seniors
- Age discrimination
- Financial abuse, economic crimes and fraudulent activity targeting seniors
- Estate planning, substitute decision making, testamentary capacity and predatory marriages
- Physician-assisted end-of-life planning
- Elder divorce
The launch of the OBA Elder Law Section will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017 starting with a reception at 5:00 pm. Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing will be in attendance and will deliver remarks. More information can be found here.
About the Ontario Bar Association
Established in 1907, the OBA is the largest voluntary legal association in Ontario and represents over 16,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students. The OBA provides continuing professional development and advocates for improvements to the law in the interests of the profession and public.
-30-