This Week at Queen’s Park (and elsewhere)
Olivia Chow will be sworn in as Toronto’s next mayor on July 12. After expressing concerns about a “lefty” becoming Mayor, Premier Doug Ford stated that he hopes to find common ground and work with Mayor-elect Chow. Read the CBC article on the results and Chow’s election promises here.
More Elections! In case you feel there haven’t been enough elections recently, there are two more. Provincial by-elections have been called in the ridings of Kanata-Carleton and Scarborough-Guildwood for July 27 to replace the vacancies of Mitzie Hunter and Merrilee Fullerton.
PA comes to the OBA Last week, the Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario's Minister of Energy, Jess Dixon, spoke to a packed room at OBAs Energy Storage Program. As a former Crown Attorney, PA Dixon was right at home in this crowd.
Attention Family Law practitioners! In case you haven’t heard, the Hon. Chief Justice Morawetz announced the expansion of the Binding Judicial Resolution Pilot Program and changes to the Practice Advisory. Binding JDR allows parties to obtain final orders in certain domestic family law cases without the need for trial. Read the Chief Justice’s letter here.
AFN Fires National Chief The Association of First Nations voted 71% in favor of removing RoseAnne Archibald from her position as National Chief effective immediately. The position will remain vacant until an interim National Chief is selected. Read the AFN’s press release here.
OBA President Kelly McDermott spoke with Law360 about the OBA’s Bail the Boat initiative which seeks to find immediate solutions to address the backlog of cases in the civil court system. This follows Chief Justice Morawetz’s statement that the “current situation cannot continue”. Read the full article here.
Happy Canada Day – More Free Fishing. If you did not get to do enough free fishing on Father’s Day, the Ontario Government is again inviting you and your loved ones to get out and experience “world class fishing opportunities” this weekend, until July 9th. Whether you want to eat your Lake Ontario catch or release it, is up to you! Read the news release here.
OBA ADVOCACY THIS WEEK
Civil Justice Reform - Bail the Boat
- More than 100 OBA members joined the OBA townhall sessions and working group at Council to brainstorm ideas to address the backlog in the civil courts. The many great ideas are being reviewed before we share them with the Attorney General’s office. The OBA’s special Taskforce on Civil Justice Reform is getting ready to launch its work later this month.
BILLS SINCE LAST UPDATE
The House sits again on September 25, 2023, but Committees continue to meet during the summer.
NEW GOVERNMENT REGULATORY CONSULTATIONS
The Education Act as amended by The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 – Supporting Regulations: Professional Activity Day Transparency - Deadline for Comments: July 12, 2023
Administrative monetary penalties regulation under the Personal Health Information Protection Act Deadline for Comments: July 25, 2023
Proposed Regulatory Change to O. Reg. 138/15 (Funding, Cost Sharing and Financial Assistance) under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 Deadline for Comments: July 29, 2023
Proposed Approach for Regulations under the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act, 2022 Deadline for Comments: August 8, 2023
Consumer Protections Related to New Home Purchase Agreements and Price Escalations Deadline for Comments: August 13, 2023
LAW SOCIETY OF ONTARIO NEWS
Ontario has two new Benchers: Murray Klippenstein and Robert Adourian, who are replacing Benchers John Callaghan and Catherine Rhinelander, who have been elevated to the Bench.
There are two external appointment opportunities, the Civil Rules Committee and the Ontario Judicial Council. The application deadline is July 28, 2023, click here to apply.
PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS
There are currently 4 advertised positions at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. This is a great opportunity to make a difference. Applications are due July 9 through the Public Appointment Secretariat.