Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Article | November 03, 2026
Editors' Note – November Issue
Welcome to this issue of the Construction and Infrastructure Law Section Insider, our first as your co-editors. We are pleased to bring you three articles on questions Ontario practitioners face every day.
Article | November 01, 2026
Buy Ontario: What Contractors Need to Know
In the midst of a $200+ billion infrastructure buildout, the Government of Ontario has decided to take a page out of the U.S. playbook. In America, the Buy American Act has helped maintain domestic manufacturing by requiring the use of American-made goods in federal procurement. Against the backdrop of an ongoing trade war, Ontario has decided to follow suit by passing the Buy Ontario Act (the “Act”). The Act itself contains few requirements. Instead, it authorizes the government to issue directives requiring “public sector entities” to “take any measures respecting the procurement of goods and services."
Article | November 01, 2026
Ontario Court Clarifies the Meaning of "Improvement" Under the Construction Lien Act
In Bradley-Kelly Construction Ltd. v GIP Construction Ontario East Ltd. et al., 2026 ONSC 5180, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice addressed a question of central importance to construction lien law: when does work performed by a subcontractor across multiple sites on a single project constitute work on a single “improvement” for the purposes of lien preservation timelines under the Construction Lien Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.30 (the “Act”)?
Article | November 01, 2026
Holdback Deficiencies and Mortgage Priority: Court of Appeal for Ontario Clarifies s. 78(2) of the Construction Act
The Court of Appeal for Ontario’s recent decision in KingSett Mortgage Corporation v. Mapleview Developments Ltd., 2026 ONCA 512, provides important guidance on the calculation of holdback deficiencies under s. 78(2) of the Construction Act (the “Act”). The decision resolves a long-standing uncertainty regarding the extent to which lien claimants are entitled to priority over a construction mortgage where an owner has failed to retain the statutory holdback.
Legislative Update | October 30, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 26
Sault Courthouse Upgrades: The Ontario government is investing $4.3 million in security upgrades at the Sault Ste. Marie courthouse, including enhancements to holding cells, the duress system, and surveillance infrastructure. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2027.
Law Reform | October 26, 2026
Law Commission of Ontario - Criminal AI Final Report and Recommendations
The Law Commission of Ontario has released its final report on AI in criminal justice, a first-in-Canada analysis of the uses, benefits, and risks of AI systems across the criminal justice system.
Legislative Update | October 26, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 19
OCJ Practice Direction: Effective January 1, 2027, all page limits and permissible attachments at the Ontario Court of Justice family and child protection matters are to follow the new guidelines in the Practice Direction, subject to judicial discretion on a case-by-case basis.
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.
Central East | October 14, 2026
Court Attendance Times in the Simcoe/Muskoka Family Court
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.
