Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Legislative Update | April 27, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 20
OCJ Self Represented Trial Booking: Effective April 27, 2026, the Self Represented Trial Booking Calendar will launch to streamline the scheduling of eligible self-represented trials. These dedicated SharePoint calendars will be accessible to the Judiciary and Crown to allow eligible self-represented trials to be booked directly in the Self-Represented Court (SRC) Courtroom 101.
Legislative Update | April 10, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 6
To The Moon and Back: The Artemis II mission is returning to Earth and will splash down off the coast of San Diego Friday evening. Artemis II was the first journey to the moon in more than 50 years, and paves the way to a moon landing in the near future.
Advocacy | March 27, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 23
2026 Ontario Budget: On Thursday, the Ontario government released the 2026 Budget, A Plan to Protect Ontario. Justice sector spending is projected at $7.3 billion in 2026-27, and the overall deficit for 2026-27 is $13.8 billion, up from the $7.8 billion figure in the 2025 budget. You can read more about the budget and view the full document here.
Advocacy | March 27, 2026
OBA Update - Budget 2026
Justice sector expense is projected to increase from $7.2 billion in 2024–25 to $7.4 billion in 2028–29. Investments in the sector support enhanced border security, the expansion and construction of new correctional institutions, and public safety,
Legislative Update | March 13, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 9
Jets at Billy Bishop: Premier Ford has suggested that the province may expropriate Toronto’s share of the airport lands if officials block the expansion plans. The federal government did not specifically endorse the plan, but suggested it was open to examining future expansion.
Article | February 08, 2026
Similar but Different: Substitute Decision-Makers under the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Family Law Rules
The concept of a “substitute decision-maker” is deceptively simple but legally complex. While the role is often conflated with informal caregiving or family decision-making, in law it carries significant fiduciary duties and procedural consequences. Matters are further complicated by inconsistent terminology: the Substitute Decisions Act, the Family Law Rules, and the Rules of Civil Procedure each frame incapacity and representation in slightly different ways. For practitioners, this patchwork can create pitfalls when advising clients, drafting materials, or litigating issues involving incapable parties.
Article | February 08, 2026
What Ontario’s Seniors and Caregivers Should Know About the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2025
In May 2025, the Ontario government reintroduced the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2025, a legislative reform aimed at improving care standards, enhancing resident protections, and recognizing the essential role of caregivers. The Act proposes changes to both the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 and the Retirement Homes Act, 2010. This article highlights the most important things seniors, and their caregivers need to know about the proposed reforms, and what they may mean for long-term care, retirement living, and caregiving in Ontario.
Article | February 06, 2026
Client Capacity: Your Practical Guide – What Every Lawyer Should Know
I recently had the pleasure of attending a program organized by the OBA entitled “Client Capacity: Your Practical Guide.” The panel of excellent speakers provided practical advice and valuable insights into assessing capacity, spotting “red” flags, accommodating disability and navigating the legal steps if your client becomes incapable (or capacity is in question). While every case will be different, the panel underscored things that every lawyer should keep in mind, if and when, a capacity issue arises for a client.
