News update

Ontario’s Stay-at-Home order is set to expire on June 2. However, all other public health and workplace measures are remaining in place provincewide.

The Ontario E-Hearings Task Force, comprised of members of the Ontario Bar Association working with other lawyer associations from across Ontario have developed a guide for best practices for remote hearings, which includes practical tools like checklists and technology information. The purpose of these materials is to provide guidance to anyone who is considering preparing for and participating in a remote hearing. These Best Practices are intended to apply to any remote hearing and to be platform neutral.

The Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee advises the Attorney General of Ontario on the appointment of Judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, and invites applications for a judicial position in Oshawa.

Attorney General Doug Downey has announced a new judicial appointment, effective June 3, 2021. Justice Paul Martin Cooper has previously worked as a federal Crown attorney and as an adjudicator with the Law Society Tribunal. Justice Cooper was also a trustee with the Law Foundation of Ontario and a Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario. Chief Justice Lise Maisonneuve has assigned Justice Cooper to Newmarket. For more information, please see the News Bulletin.

For the latest information from the Courts and MAG, including the latest courthouse COVID-19 updates, visit the OBA Courts Reopening page

For the latest information from the Courts and MAG, including the latest courthouse COVID-19 updates, visit the OBA Courts Reopening page

The province has extended booking eligibility at COVID-19 immunization clinics to people 18 and over. This means that anyone 18 and over in 2021 is now eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the provincial booking system and call centre, or directly through public health units that use their own booking system.

More Ontarians will soon be eligible for their first COVID-19 vaccination.

The Federal government looking for experts to sit on Court Challenges Program’s Human Rights Expert Panel. The Minister of Canadian Heritage wishes to appoint candidates who collectively represent the diversity of Canada. Review of applications will begin on May 21, 2021. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. For more information

Following the Minister of Labour, Training & Skills Development’s announcement that inspectors would be visiting law offices and other workplaces “to make sure those inside and onsite are protected and following the COVID-19 safety requirements”, the OBA reached out to government to ensure that there is an understanding of, and respect for, the important rights and protections that are engaged any time there is the potential for a law office inspection, including the importance of protecting solicitor-client privilege.