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Aboriginal Law

From programming and advocacy to peer recognition and relevant resources, OBA Section membership connects you with education, engagement and leadership opportunities to propel you to the forefront of your area of practice.

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Resources, Articles, & Advocacy

Legislative Update | January 20, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of January 12

Premier Ford and China EVs: Following Prime Minister Carney’s meeting with Chinese President Xi, Premier Ford has raised alarm bells about the impact cheap Chinese EVs would have on Ontario's auto sector. The Premier has called the deal, which would allow up to 49,000 Chinese EVs to enter Canada tariff-free, as a lopsided deal.

Legislative Update | January 12, 2026

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of January 5

Premier Ford to Turn Over Personal Phone Records: The Ford government’s request for a judicial review of two IPC rulings on access to the Premier’s private phone logs was dismissed. In their decision, the judges wrote, “The conclusion that the Premier used his personal cellphone to conduct Cabinet Office matters is a finding of fact that attracts a high degree of deference.” The Premier’s office will be seeking leave to appeal the decision.

Submission | December 02, 2025

Bill 60, Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025

The OBA provides comments and recommendations to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding proposed amendments to the Construction Act, Residential Tenancies Act, and Municipal-Related Acts (Development Charges Act, Highway Traffic Act, Planning Act, Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, and Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act)

Article | October 23, 2025

A Quiet Transformation in Project Approvals

A significant legislative shift is underway in both Ottawa and Queen’s Park, one that should command the attention of lawyers in environmental, Indigenous, and administrative law. Federal Bill C-5 and Ontario’s Bill 5 are united by a common objective to accelerate major projects in the name of national and provincial prosperity. However, the legal mechanisms they employ to achieve this speed are prompting serious questions about constitutional duties, procedural fairness, and the future of regulatory certainty.

Article | October 10, 2025

Beyond Section 87: A Practitioner's Guide to First Nations Tax Authority in Ontario

For Aboriginal law practitioners in Ontario, navigating the fiscal landscape for First Nations clients often begins and ends with section 87 of the Indian Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. I-5. While crucial, its exemptions are limited and focused more on reserve. The real story of modern First Nations governance, however, is being written through the exercise of inherent tax authority. This shift from tax exemption to tax jurisdiction is a powerful tool for self-determination, and lawyers must be equipped to guide their clients through the evolving frameworks available.