Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Legislative Update | March 20, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 16
Pepper Spray: Ontario is calling on the Federal government to amend the Criminal Code to allow the use of pepper spray for self-defence. Currently, pepper spray designed for use on people is classified as a prohibited weapon.
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.
Advocacy | February 27, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 23
OBR Ontario Business Account: On February 23, 2026, the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement launched the Ontario Business Account. If you are an intermediary using the Ontario Business Account, the ministry recommends transferring your account to the OBR Partner Portal, which is designed to help intermediaries manage client accounts efficiently.
| February 13, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 9
Olympic Winter Games: The 2026 Winter Olympic games are underway with a relatively slow start for Canada. Canada is currently #15 in terms of total medals, with zero golds, 3 silvers, and 4 bronze medals. The top three countries by medal count are currently Norway and Italy tied at 18 medals, with the U.S. in third with 14 medals.
Article | February 08, 2026
Applying “In the Course of Employment”: Insights from WSIAT Decision No. 774/25
In Decision No. 774/25, the WSIAT denied entitlement after finding that a worker’s injury, sustained during an unpaid lunch break on public property near the workplace, did not occur in the course of employment. The decision highlights that location, timing, and the personal nature of a worker’s activities remain key considerations when assessing entitlement for injuries occurring off employer premises.
Article | February 08, 2026
Extraordinary Times, Extraordinary Stress: WSIAT Decision No. 469/25 and the Evolving Scope of Chronic Mental Stress Claims
In Decision No. 469/25, the WSIAT granted entitlement for chronic mental stress after finding that extraordinary workplace conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the worker to objectively dangerous health and safety risks. The decision highlights that “normal job stress” must be assessed contextually, and that exposure to heightened workplace hazards may constitute a substantial work related stressor for CMS entitlement purposes.
