Environmental Law | Ontario Bar Association

Environmental Law

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Resources, Articles, & Advocacy

Advocacy | November 25, 2025

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of November 17

Province Targets Child Support from Impaired Drivers: Building on recent measures passed in the Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024, the Ford government is developing new measures that would require impaired drivers to pay ongoing child support if they kill a child's parent or guardian. Attorney General Doug Downey explained in a statement that, "our government is looking at practical solutions that can ease their [surviving children's] burden in the wake of such tragedies and provide financial stability for children who are left behind."

Advocacy | November 14, 2025

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of November 10

Ontario Fall Economic Statement: The Ontario government tabled their Fall Economic Statement on Thursday providing updates on their plan to "Protect Ontario". The projected deficit is down by $1.1 billion compared to the projections in the 2025 budget, while the unemployment rate is expected to rise by 1%, to 7.8%. The government still plans to balance the books by 2027-28.

Article | November 11, 2025

PFAS in Canada: From Drinking Water Contamination to Class Action Litigation

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of synthetic compounds valued for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Their chemical stability has driven widespread industrial and commercial use, but also results in environmental persistence and potential health impacts. Recent developments include Health Canada’s updated drinking-water objective, the Government of Canada’s Final State of PFAS Report and proposed Risk Management Approach, and publicly reported mapping of PFAS hotspots nationwide by the CBC and The Globe and Mail. Class actions are also on the rise, largely addressing property-value impacts due to the stigma of PFAS contamination in residential drinking water.

Legislative Update | November 07, 2025

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of November 3

Advocacy | October 28, 2025

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 20

Ford v Trump: President Trump announced plans to halt trade negotiations with Canada over Premier Ford’s anti-tariff ad campaign in the U.S. Earlier this month, Ontario launched a $75 million ad campaign in the U.S. using former President Reagan’s own words discussing the negative impacts of tariffs.

Legislative Update | October 14, 2025

Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 6

Premier Ford Car Alarm: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Canadian officials and business leaders that America is committed to consolidating vehicle assembly within its borders and that Canada would come “second”. Premier Ford warned that Canada faces a massive threat to domestic manufacturing, and threatened cutting off critical mineral exports to the U.S.

Provincial | September 12, 2025

Queen's Park Day and Pre-Budget Consultation

The OBA will be holding a Queen's Park Day in Spring 2026 and will likely provide a submission on the annual pre-budget consultations, which typically occurs in early January. Sections are invited to provide section executive approved policy proposals for consideration by no later than December 8, 2025.

Article | June 27, 2025