News update

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (“CHRT”) is seeking to appoint a Chairperson. The Tribunal carries out its Canadian Human Rights Act mandate through public hearings of complaints of discrimination based on the grounds enumerated in the Act. The successful applicant must be a member in good standing of the Bar of a province or territory or the Chambre des notaires du Québec for at least ten (10) years and must also have experience, expertise and interest in human rights. For more information on the position and the full job requirements, as well as how to apply, please see the posting here.

The SCJ has announced that references to sync.com in the Commercial List and Estates List Filing Direction have been removed effective March 15, 2021, as the Court will be using the CaseLines document-sharing platform exclusively. ​For more information, please see the Filing Direction.

On March 15, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada unveiled its new emblem which will replace the Supreme Courts’ use of the Arms of Canada. The new emblem represents Canada’s bilingual and bijural traditions, and the emblem’s stripes recall the the principals of peace and mutual respect embodied by the two-row wampum belt in the traditions of many First Peoples. For more information, please see this Media Release.

Updates for Ontario Court of Appeal

The Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee has advised it is inviting applications for 2 judicial positions in Sudbury presiding over criminal and family law matters (approximately 50% criminal and 50% family matters). The posting reads: "Applications must be on the current prescribed form and RECEIVED BY 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021. Applications received after this date WILL NOT be considered. The Judiciary of the Ontario Court of Justice should reflect the diversity of the population it serves. Applications from members of equality-seeking groups are encouraged." 

On February 19, 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched the process to select the next justice of the Supreme Court of Canada in order to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Madam Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella.

The Ministry of the Attorney General has announced that it will establish a threshold limit for small estates in order to simplify the probate process for such estates, as per the Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, 2020. Beginning on April 1, 2021, Ontario will set the limit for a small estate at $150,000 and will remove the requirement to post bond in most small estate probate applications.

MAG has advised it is inviting applications for two case management master positions. The Masters will perform judicial duties in civil actions in the Superior Court of Justice, exercising the jurisdiction assigned to Case Management Masters by the Rules of Civil Procedure. Applications are due on January 15, 2021.

The Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee has advised it is inviting applications for judicial positions in the following regions:

This week MAG provided an update on the phase 3 of the reopening of courtrooms to in-person proceedings, including target readiness dates for phase 3 locations. This phase of work includes the preparation of additional courtrooms in locations which have already resumed in-person appearances and select new satellite court locations.