Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
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
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.
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
A Municipality’s Obligation to Comply with the Endangered Species Act: A Summary of The Corporation of the Municipality of Marmora and Lake v. His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario
What happens when legal duties under different legislation appear to conflict? In a recent case, The Corporation of the Municipality of Marmora and Lake v. His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario, 2024 ONSC 2254 ,the Municipality of Marmora and Lake (the “Municipality”) considered this question when its required road maintenance work allegedly disturbed an endangered species and its habitat.
Article | June 24, 2025
Accelerated Project Approvals Under the Building Canada Act
On June 6, 2024, the federal government tabled Bill C-5: An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility Act and the Building Canada Act (the One Canadian Economy Act) to, among other things, accelerate approvals for energy and infrastructure projects that are designated as being in the national interest by enacting the Building Canada Act. This legislation aims to address pressing geopolitical, energy security, and economic concerns, while enhancing Canada's national prosperity and protecting the environment, and respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples. The One Canadian Economy Act faces a short sitting period in a minority Parliament, but Prime Minister Mark Carney has suggested that the sitting could be extended to ensure the Act is passed.
