Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Legislative Update | July 21, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of July 14
First Nations Groups File Legal Challenge to Ontario’s Bill 5, Feds’ Bill C-5: A coalition of Ontario First Nations is taking legal action to try and throw out provincial and federal legislation designed to fast-track major projects, saying the two laws threaten their rights and “ways of life.” Nine First Nation groups are bringing urgent litigation to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to try and kill Ontario’s Bill 5 and the federal government’s Bill C-5. The Ford government passed Bill 5 in June, which allows it to create special economic zones where municipal and provincial laws can be suspended. Similarly, the federal Bill C-5 allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big projects deemed to be in the national interest, such as mines, ports and pipelines, by sidestepping existing laws.
Advocacy | July 07, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of June 30
New Regional Senior Justice Appointed to the OCJ: Justice Anthony Frederick Leitch has been appointed regional senior justice for the Central West Region of the Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ), effective September 1. He had been the acting senior judge in the region since 2023.
Article | June 27, 2025
YLD Gala Keynote Speaker, Chief Justice Wagner Encourages Young Lawyers to Keep an Open Mind and Trust in Themselves
On June 22, 2025, Chief Justice Wagner served as keynote speaker for the Young Lawyers Division’s Annual Gala. Chief Justice Wagner has served on the Supreme Court since 2012, and is the 18th Chief Justice of Canada. He leads the Canadian Judicial Council, the National Judicial Institute, and the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.
Legislative Update | June 06, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of June 2
Ford Government Passes Mining Legislation: Bill 5, or the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, passed third reading this week and has been granted royal assent by the lieutenant governor. The legislation will create so-called special economic zones where laws, ranging from municipal approvals to environmental rules or even labour law, won’t apply. At Queen’s Park on Wednesday, cries of protest rang out from the galleries inside the legislature as MPPs voted. Indigenous leaders have vowed to keep fighting against the legislation.
Article | June 04, 2025
Key Legislative Changes for Ontario Employers to Know in 2025
In this article, Shannon Sweeney highlights important amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which will take effect in 2025 and 2026. Anyone who acts for employers, or who is an employer, will want to take note of these incoming changes.
