Aboriginal Law

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Resources, Articles, & Advocacy

News | October 23, 2026

Nominate a deserving colleague for an OBA Award

Each year, the Ontario Bar Association honours individuals and organizations whose leadership, service and accomplishments have made a meaningful and lasting impact on our profession, our association and the broader justice community. These awards shine a light on the people who go above and beyond to strengthen the legal profession, advance access to justice, support their colleagues and build a better justice system.

Advocacy | October 12, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 12

Toronto Written Consent Release Pilot Project: Effective October 19th, the Ontario Court of Justice is beginning a pilot project in Toronto that allows for out of Court written consent release orders to be issued by Judicial Officers for individuals in bail Court, who are seeking a straightforward bail release on consent of the Crown’s office.

Legislative Update | October 02, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 28

Ontario Judicial Appointments: The Honourable Sean Fraser, announced eight judicial appointments to the Court of Appeal of Ontario and Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. The appointments were done under the judicial application process established in 2016, emphasizing transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population.

Legislative Update | September 25, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 21

Starlink Costs: Ontario’s new Treasury Board President, Kinga Surma, declined to disclose how much the Ford government spent cancelling its $100 million agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service. When asked, Surma said, “the decision remained with the taxpayer, that was a big component of our election and the people voted to cancel the contract,” explaining that the government will “continue to move forward with [their] broadband strategy.”

Legislative Update | September 18, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 14

New Judicial Vacancies: There are currently several active priority vacancies in the Ontario Court of Justice, including Cornwall, Eliot Lake, Pembroke, Thunder Bay and Timmins. Candidates who wish to be considered for a judicial appointment are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

Article | September 08, 2026

Canada’s Pursuit of Digital Sovereignty and Its Implications for First Nations Treaty Rights and Interests

For expert practitioners, and practitioners building their expertise, the key is to ensure that the current momentum to build digital infrastructure does not steamroll over these constitutional and fiduciary obligations. The development of a data center strategy must include robust engagement with First Nations on their own terms, respecting their intellectual property, and data sovereignty. It requires transparent and comprehensive environmental assessments that account for local ecological effects, including on bees, birds, and other species. In Ontario, the legal duty is even more profound, requiring the Crown to act honourably and to ensure that its pursuit of digital sovereignty does not compromise, but rather strengthens, the sovereignty of the First Nations within its boundaries.

Legislative Update | August 10, 2026