News update

On Monday, the Government of Ontario announced that it is moving forward with a regional approach to the Stage 2 reopening of the province beginning this Friday at 12:01 a.m. Most regions will see changes and easing of restrictions

The Action Committee on Court Operations in Response to COVID-19 recently held its second meeting to confirm the Action Committee's approach and priorities in offering national guidance to chief justices, judges and courts administration officials as decision are taken around the gradual resumption of court operations across Canada.

Today, the Government of Ontario passed legislative amendments in the COVID-19 Response and Reforms to Modernize Ontario Act, 2020 that will provide relief and flexibility to different types of corporations and businesses in Ontario, as a result of the declared emergency. These legislative amendments will enable Ontario businesses and corporations to call and hold virtual meetings, defer annual meetings in some circumstances, utilize electronic signatures, and file documents electronically. It will also allow the use of electronic chattels under the PPSA. The OBA has advocated for the Ontario Government to make many of these changes as in response to the challenges presented by COVID-19 and as part of our ongoing business modernization efforts.

May 1, 2020 Electricity Costs: Ontario is taking steps to defer a portion of Global Adjustment (GA) charges for industrial and commercial electricity consumers that do not participate in the Regulated Price Plan for the period starting from April 2020. This initiative is intended to provide companies with temporary immediate relief on their monthly electricity bills in April, May and June 2020.

On April 24, 2020, the Government of Ontario amended Emergency Order O. Reg. 107/20 to address a number of issues with respect to virtual meetings and annual meetings for corporations, including condo corporations, co-operative corporations, businesses, and not-for-profits during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Ontario government is partnering with the federal government to provide urgent relief for small businesses and landlords affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The province is committing $241 million through the new Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (OCECRA). The total amount of provincial-federal relief is more than $900 million, helping to ensure small businesses are ready to reopen their doors when the emergency measures are lifted.

The Lieutenant Governor in Council has amended the order under s. 7.0.2(4), of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act permitting wills and POAs to be witnessed virtually (through audio – visual communication) to allow these documents to be signed in counterpart from the date of the order. 

The Federal government announced comprehensive support of nearly $9 billion for post-secondary students and recent graduates and also expanded existing federal employment, skills development, and youth programming to create up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training.

The Government of Canada is taking immediate action through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.

The Ministry of the Solicitor General has prepared the attached Process Guide