LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY UPDATE – Week of July 6th July 10, 2020 On Tuesday, the government introduced Bill 195, Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020. The legislation allows for the government to continue the use of existing emergency powers otherwise restricted for use under a Declaration of Emergency. The current Declaration of Emergency was introduced on March 17th and has been renewed within each consecutive two week period.
Other OBA Submission on the new Legal Aid Services Act March 10, 2020 The OBA submission raised three specific issues that it would like to see addressed with respect to the proposed Legal Aid Services Act in Bill 161: (1) Ensuring additional funding for court-ordered services currently covered directly by the Attorney General; (2) Clarifying a fair process regarding information disclosure for lawyers who represent LAO clients; and, (3) Clarifying proportional representation on the LAO Board.
Provincial Government Pre-Budget Consultation Letter February 11, 2020 As part of the provincial government’s pre-budget consultations, the OBA asked the government to commit to adequate and predictable funding for the legal aid system and ensure adequate funding of a comprehensive strategy that recognizes the prevalence of mental health issues for society’s most vulnerable who are served by lawyers in all areas of the legal aid system.
Provincial Government 2019 Response Business Law Modernization and Burden Reduction Council’s Recommendations to Modernize Ontario’s Business Law Statutes November 28, 2019 The OBA made a submission to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Service in support of five recommendations put forward by the Business Law Modernization and Burden Reduction Council to modernize business law in Ontario. These included proposed legislative amendments to the Personal Property Security Act and the Ontario Business Corporations Act as well as regulatory changes to the Arthur Wishart Act.
Provincial Government, Legal Aid Ontario OBA Submission Regarding the Legal Aid Ontario Modernization Project October 31, 2019 The Ministry of the Attorney General, in partnership with Legal Aid Ontario is currently engaged in the Legal Aid Ontario Modernization Project (“Project”). The mandate of the Project is to develop and implement reform proposals and legislative amendments that will contribute to moving the legal aid system towards sustainability and modernized service delivery to better meet the needs of low-income Ontarians through governance and service delivery improvements.
Other Response to the Law Society of Ontario's Access to Justice Approach: Call for Comment May 31, 2019 This submission is in response to the Law Society of Ontario's Access to Justice Committee's "Review of the Law Society's Access to Justice Approach: Call for Comment"
Law Society of Ontario Comments on the LSO's Options for Lawyer Licensing October 31, 2018 The OBA has responded to the LSO's Dialogue on Licensing (2018) consultation paper. The submission was prepared by the OBA Special Committee on Licensing with the input of the OBA Provincial Council.
Law Society of Ontario Law Society of Ontario Governance Task Force Call for Comment: Options for Enhanced Governance October 19, 2018 The OBA responds to the LSO's consultation on Governance, relating to the size and composition of Convocation, other considerations that will to enhance governance effectiveness, as well as the terms, term limits and terminology proposed.
Provincial Government Limited Partnerships Act March 14, 2018 The Ontario Bar Association has prepared recommendations to implement reforms to the Limited Partnerships Act, necessary to modernize limited partnership law in the Province and assist in not losing business in this area to other jurisdictions.
Provincial Government OBA Pre-Budget Consultation Letter February 07, 2018 The OBA provides a submission to the Minister of Finance regarding pre-budget consultations with individuals and organizations throughout the province.