News update

FCA Time Limits Update The Federal Court of Appeal has issued a Direction pursuant to Rule 54 regarding the Attorney General of Canada’s interpretation of s. 6 of the Time Limits and Other Period Act (Covid-19). The Court has directed that the Attorney General’s interpretation of s. 6 of the Act, with respect to the time limits under the Federal Courts Rules and orders made thereunder, is incorrect in law and should not be followed. In short, the Federal Courts Rules, S.O.R./98-106 and the Court’s Practice Directions, judgments, orders and directions remain in full force and effect.

The Law Society Tribunal of the Law Society of Ontario has issued an updated Notice to the Professions and the Public. All appearances before the Tribunal are being held remotely, either by teleconference (for proceeding management conferences), or by zoom (for pre-hearing conferences and hearings). The Tribunal will accept materials that are filed either electronically or in hard copy. Further, since O. Reg. 73/20 will be revoked as of September 14, 2020 (see O. Reg. 457/20 , time periods will start to run again as of that date.

The Ministry of the Attorney General has issued a Notice to the Profession regarding changes to the Family Law Rules with respect to court forms. The following changes will take effect on September 1, 2020

CIPO has announced a further and final extension to August 24, 2020 of all deadlines on IP matters under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act. At this time, CIPO is not planning any further extensions.

The Ontario government has announced its plan for the safe reopening of schools for in-class instruction in September. For more information, see the news release and the provincial guide to reopening schools.

The Ontario government announced today that the new COVID Alert app is available for download. The app, which is a part of the provincial government’s case and contact management strategy as regions enter into Stage 3 of reopening, lets users know if they may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

On July 31, the Active Screening Tool was updated.

One July 28, the OCJ issued a Notice to the Profession and the Public related to criminal case management. Given health and safety restrictions, in-person attendances for criminal court case management appearances cannot be accommodated at this time.

On July 29, the Ontario government announced it has launched an independent commission into COVID-19 and long-term care. Three commissions will investigate the impact of COVID-19 within long-term care home and will provide the government with guidance on how to better protect residents and staff of long-term care homes from future outbreaks.

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has announced that as of July 24, declared emergency leave is no longer available under the ESA. In addition, the “COVID-19 Period” will end as of September 4, 2020. For more information click here.