Up-to-date Sector Information

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 (JAAC) has advised it is inviting applications for a judicial position in Oshawa presiding over criminal law matters.

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.

CaseLines for Domestic Family Matters in the Ontario Court of Justice The Ontario Court of Justice has issued a new CaseLines notice to the profession and public View the May 9th notice | Further information

SW Region Notice to the Profession – Mode of Proceedings RSJ Thomas today provided clarifications pertaining to Family Law

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

What lawyers need to know about 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”.