Submissions and Legislative Updates

This week in the Legislature, the government marked the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaration of COVID-19 as a Global Pandemic.  The province’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be the focus of debate and government announcements, including announcement that all Ontario residents will receive their first vaccination shot by June 20, investments in youth mental health and homelessness shelters.

The OBA provided a submission to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly on Bill 245, Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021 (Schedule 3).

This week in the Legislature, the government’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be the focus of debate and the focus of government announcements including, a technical briefing on March 5, 2021 of vaccine roll outs. Notably, courts and justice system workers and youth justice workers will be included at the end of Phase 2.

This week in the Legislature, the government’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be front and centre including an announcement of free tuition for 6000 new Personal Support Workers, and the announcement that Ontario will launch its online portal for booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments on March 15. 

The Legislative Assembly resumed sitting this week, after rising in early December, with a continued focus on the province’s COVID-19 response.  The government announced expansion of its Main Street Relief Grant and an investment in a new COVID-19 contract tracing device for workplaces.  On the legislative front, the government introduced Bill 245, Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021 an omnibus bill comprised of 11 schedules.  

The 42nd Parliament of Ontario, which began its Fall Sitting on September 14 rose on December 8, 2020, concluding a Fall Session which saw 26 government Bills passed with the primary focus remaining on curbing the continued spread and impact of COVID-19.

The OBA sought to amend the Lawyers Annual Report to include Charity and Not For Profit Law as a discrete area of practice so that lawyers practicing in this area could more accurately reflect their area of practice.

This week in the legislature the government remained focused on curbing the continued spread and impact of COVID-19. The government announced the creation of a Support for Learners program to provide additional financial support to parents and an investment in the tourism industry to support its ‘long-term sustainability’.  

This week in the legislature the government remained focused on curbing the continued spread of COVID-19 as Toronto and the Region of Peel were placed in a 28-day lockdown. The government announced holiday celebrations should only take place with family members and also announced the release of new technology allowing for COVID-19 rapid tests. The Auditor General released a special report this week criticizing the government for its handling of the pandemic.  

This week in the legislature the government remained focused on the continued spread of COVID-19 as it made plans for further restrictions in the hardest hit areas in the lead up to the holiday season.  The government announced the creation of a new agency to centralize government procurement of supplies and equipment to help during the pandemic and announced an investment in justice system mental health services.