Legislative Updates
Advocacy | March 07, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 3
Law Society CEO 'No Longer Employed': Law Society of Ontario CEO Diana Miles “is no longer employed” by the legal regulator. Priya Bhatia, executive director of Professional Development and Competence, has been named acting CEO. No reasons were given, but Miles' departure follows the revelation that the LSO had retained retired judge Dennis O’Connor to conduct an independent review of her employment contract that raised her annual salary by more than 50 per cent to nearly $1 million without the approval of Convocation.
Legislative Update | February 28, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 24
Third Straight Majority for Ford’s PCs: Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservatives cruised to their third straight majority government Thursday. It was the first time since 1959 in Ontario that a party leader has won three consecutive majorities. The NDP secured enough seats to remain as the province's Official Opposition, while the Liberals managed to increase their provincewide vote share to nearly 30 per cent, surpassing the NDP by more than 11 per cent. The NDP vote, however, was more concentrated in specific ridings. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner won re-election in the riding of Guelph and the party also held Kitchener Centre.
Legislative Update | February 18, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 18
What the Leaders Said in the Debate: The leaders of Ontario’s main political parties met this week for the second and final televised debate of the election campaign. Doug Ford, Bonnie Crombie, Marit Stiles and Mike Schreiner made several memorable comments — some scripted and some seemingly off the cuff. Click for some of the key quotes from each on various topics.
Legislative Update | February 10, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 10
Provincial Leaders to Debate on Family Day: The leaders from Ontario’s four main political parties will be part of an election debate airing on the evening of Family Day through a partnership of the province’s biggest broadcasters. The debate will air on Feb. 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Global News, CBC, CTV, TVO, CHCH, CPAC, CityNews and CP24. It will also be streamed on radio and online platforms. The leaders were also scheduled to be in North Bay on Friday for a debate on northern issues.
Legislative Update | February 07, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 3
Tariff Reprieve for Canada: U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and Canada’s retaliatory measures have been delayed by “at least 30 days." In addition to implementing a $1.3 billion border plan – which includes deploying additional personnel, drones, surveillance equipment and helicopters – Canada is making new commitments. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 10,000 frontline personnel “are and will be working on protecting the border,” Canada will be listing cartels as terrorists, and the federal government will appoint a “fentanyl czar.”
Legislative Update | January 13, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of January 13, 2025
OBA Critical of Proposed Reforms to LSO Governance: The Ontario Bar Association is expressing concerns about governance changes being put forward by the Law Society of Ontario that will significantly reduce the proportion of elected lawyers in Convocation. “The balance of power would be held by appointees and other members outside the profession, so the OBA is very concerned about that,” OBA President Kathryn Manning told the Law Times. “We can't protect self-regulation by taking the ‘self’ out of ‘self-regulation.’”
Legislative Update | January 06, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of January 6, 2025
Premier Floats Election Over Response to Trump Tariffs: Doug Ford further fuelled election speculation on Wednesday by saying he’d have to invest massively in the economy if the incoming United States president hits Canada with prolonged tariffs — but that he currently doesn’t have the electoral mandate to do that. “I'm going to have to put tens of billions of dollars into the economy, to save the economy, to protect Canadian, Ontario jobs,” he said. “And I don't have a mandate from the people to spend tens of billions of dollars.” His comments come as President-Elect Donald Trump prepares to enter the White House on Jan. 20, armed with the threat of slapping a 25-per-cent tariff on all Canadian products, and a day after Trump said he’d be open to using “economic force” to compel Canada into joining the U.S.
Legislative Update | December 09, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of December 9
Charter Challenge Over Supervised Consumption Sites: The Neighbourhood Group Community Services agency, which operates a privately funded supervised consumption site in Toronto’s Kensington Market area, has launched a legal challenge over the closing of supervised consumption sites in Ontario. The group argues that closing these sites infringes on several Charter-protected rights, including the right to life, liberty and security of the person. The challenge also argues the legislation goes against the division of powers between Ottawa and provinces.
Legislative Update | December 02, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of December 2
Rules of Civil Procedure Amendments: On December 1, 2024, O. Reg 384/24 came into effect, which amended the Rules of Civil Procedure. Changes include a requirement to certify the authenticity of the authorities cited in factums and certification of the authenticity of expert reports. You can see the changes here.
Advocacy | November 18, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of November 18
Protecting Newcomers from Fraud: The province will be introducing legislation that aims to protect newcomers against fraud and exploitation as they navigate the immigration system. If passed, the legislation will create new standards that immigration representatives must meet. They will be required to have a written contract with OINP applicants, provide applicants with proof of their registration or licence to represent immigrants and ensure applicants can access their own OINP file. If representatives don't meet these standards, they could face fines and multi-year bans, according to a provincial news release on Wednesday.
Advocacy | November 11, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of November 11
Premier Dips Toe in Mexican Trade Waters: Premier Doug Ford is floating the idea of returning to a Canada-U.S. bilateral pact like the one that predated the enactment of NAFTA in 1994. Ford alluded to the likely difficult review ahead for the pact known in Canada as CUSMA (the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement). The agreement must be revised starting in 2026 or it will expire after a decade. One of the greatest challenges facing that review is U.S. frustration with Chinese-owned car plants popping up in Mexico. He called for Mexico to place tariffs on Chinese imports to keep its car parts from the continental supply chain.
Advocacy | November 04, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of November 4
Ford Wants Trump to “Bet Big” on Ontario: Following the election of Donald Trump, Premier Doug Ford is pitching continued economic co-operation between Ontario and its southerly neighbour. Trump's second term in office could have profound consequences for Canada, particularly when it comes to trade. The former president, real estate developer and game show host campaigned on a minimum 10 per cent global tariff on all imported products to the U.S. Sources have said that Trump's camp has offered no assurances of a reprieve for Canada.
Advocacy | October 28, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 28
Four Judicial Appointments to the SCJ in Ontario: The federal government announced two appointments to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario earlier this week, as well as two more on Friday. Justice Lisa A. Wannamaker, Assistant Crown Attorney at the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario in Peterborough, has been assigned to Lindsay. Justi Bellows, a sole practitioner in Huntsville, has been assigned to Parry Sound. Justice Scott N. Latimer, a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice in Milton, has been appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Welland, while Justice Amy J. Ohler, a sole practitioner in Toronto, was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in St. Catharines.ce Robin A.
Advocacy | October 21, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 21
Legislature Back in Session: Ontario tabled its first bill of the fall legislative sitting on Monday. Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024, would give the province veto power over some bike lanes, accelerate highway construction projects and ease environmental assessments for new highways. The province is also trying to give itself power through regulation to remove existing bike lanes. Premier Doug Ford has promised to clear some bike lanes, and the government appears to have several in Toronto on their radar.
Advocacy | October 15, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 15
Fall Economic Statement Coming Soon: The province will release its 2024 Fall Economic Statement a bit earlier this year. On Wednesday, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy announced on X that this year’s statement will be released on Oct. 30 – one week before the U.S. presidential election.
Legislative Update | October 11, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 7
Province to Audit Children’s Aid Sector: The province is launching a review of the 37 non-Indigenous children's aid societies, looking at the quality of protection they provide and their financial management. Premier Doug Ford said last week he has heard "nightmare stories about the abuse of taxpayers' money," suggesting the agencies are working in places he referred to as Taj Mahals, and managers are giving themselves bonuses.
Legislative Update | October 07, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 30
Get Your Motor Runnin’: Premier Doug Ford says his government is planning to increase speed limits on 400-series highways across the province. The government increased speed limits from 100 kilometres per hour to 110 kilometres per hour on six sections of provincial highways in 2022, after several successful pilot programs that first began in 2019. Earlier this year, the province raised the speed limit on 10 more sections of highways across the province.
Advocacy | September 27, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 23
A Tunnel is for Digging: Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he wants to build a tunnel for cars and transit under Highway 401 that would stretch roughly from Brampton to Scarborough.
Legislative Update | September 20, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 16
PCs Hold on to Eastern Ontario Seat: Progressive Conservative candidate Tyler Allsopp will represent Bay of Quinte in the Ontario legislature. The Belleville councillor and business owner won Thursday’s byelection with 38.69 per cent of the vote, a slim victory of 2,002 votes over Liberal candidate Sean Kelly. The NDP’s Amanda Robertson was third.
Legislative Update | September 13, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 9
Province Eyes LTB Changes: Premier Doug Ford says changes could be coming to the province's rental rules, arguing the “pendulum has swung” against small, independent landlords. Earlier this week,
Legislative Update | September 06, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 3
Premier Lashes Out at Feds Over Bail: Premier Doug Ford has once again slammed the federal government over bail laws when it comes to repeat offenders. “We need the federal government to change the Criminal Code once and for all, and stop being a bunch of bleeding hearts,” Ford said at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday.
Legislative Update | August 30, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of August 26
Early Election May Be on the Horizon: In the latest sign Ontario could be heading toward an early election, the Progressive Conservative Party will begin nominating candidates in a matter of weeks, including sitting ministers who plan to run again. At the end of May, Ontario Premier Doug Ford sent opposition parties scrambling to prepare for a snap poll when he repeatedly refused to rule out calling an early election.
Legislative Update | August 26, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of August 19
Provincial Consultation on PPNs: The Ontario Ministry of Finance has announced a 60-day public comment period asking insurance companies, pharmacy operators, consumers and employers to help the government better understand the role of “preferred provider networks” (PPNs) in the province’s group benefits insurance sector. The government is considering whether new regulations are needed to limit exclusivity deals between insurers and pharmacies.
Legislative Update | August 16, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of August 12
Ontario Education Minister Resigns: Minister Todd Smith is resigning effective immediately. He has accepted a job in the private sector. Smith has served in cabinet since Premier Doug Ford's government was first elected in 2018, but spent the longest amount of time in the energy portfolio. He spent less than three months as education minister.
Legislative Update | July 29, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of July 22
New Hospital in Waterloo: The University of Waterloo has been chosen as the site for the newest state-of-the-art hospital, which is expected to open in 2035. The government is investing nearly $50 billion in health infrastructure over the next 10 years, including adding 3,000 new beds.
Legislative Update | July 19, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of July 15
New Marching Orders for Cabinet: The premier handed out fresh mandate letters to his ministers on Thursday as his new election-focused team met for their first in-person cabinet meeting at Queen’s Park. The content of those mandate letters, however, will remain hidden from the public view as the Ford government upholds a practice of cabinet secrecy, endorsed by the Supreme Court.
Legislative Update | July 12, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of July 8
SCJ OKs Class Action by Immigration Detainees: The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has certified a class-action lawsuit against the federal government regarding the use of provincial jails for immigration detainees. The suit represents 8,360 people who were detained in 87 provincial and territorial jails by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) between 2016 and 2023. The claim seeks $100 million dollars in damages, to be divided among the complainants if they win.
Legislative Update | July 08, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of July 1
Nine Judges Appointed to OCJ: The Ontario government has announced the appointment of nine new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective July 11, 2024.
Legislative Update | June 28, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of June 24
PCs Polling About Going to the Polls: Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives are apparently pretty serious about possibly triggering an election ahead of schedule. Global News is reporting that Campaign Research, the preferred polling firm of the Ontario PCs, recently asked voters whether they would support early election calls from both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford.
Legislative Update | June 21, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of June 17
Three Judges Appointed to Superior Court: The Hon. Arif Virani, minister of justice and attorney general of Canada, announced three appointments to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario on Tuesday.
Legislative Update | June 14, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of June 10
Ontario Place Challenge Dismissed: The Ontario Superior Court of Justice Divisional Court has quashed an application for a judicial review filed by Ontario Place for All, a grassroots organization opposed to the province's plans for Ontario Place that include a new spa and indoor water park.
Legislative Update | June 07, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of June 3
The Shuffle Before the Recess: The premier announced a pretty significant cabinet shuffle late Thursday. The biggest change is in education, where Stephen Lecce has been replaced by Todd Smith. Lecce will take over the energy file from Smith.
Legislative Update | May 31, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of May 27
Increasing Court Capacity: The Ontario government announced on Thursday that it will be appointing at least 25 new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, as well as hiring 190 more Crown prosecutors, victim support and court staff.
Legislative Update | May 17, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of May 13
More ServiceOntario “retail partnerships”: The province is planning to move more ServiceOntario locations into retail stores. The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery has posted a request for qualifications looking for “retailers of all sizes” that might want to host locations. An online posting calls for any businesses interested in a “lease model retail partnership with ServiceOntario.”
Advocacy | May 10, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of May 6
Safeguarding Students: The Ontario government plans to introduce regulatory changes through legislation that would create protections to better safeguard students’ information from being stolen or used inappropriately while on school devices. In a news release, the province said future regulations could include age-appropriate standards for software programs on devices, like laptops, used by students at school, as well as stronger standards for software procurement to avoid the use or selling of student data for predatory marketing by third parties.
Legislative Update | May 06, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 29
PCs Win Two Byelections: Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative candidates won both Ontario byelections by convincing margins on Thursday. PC candidate Zee Hamid won by more than 2,400 votes, or nine percentage points, while fellow PC Steve Pinsonneault drew 57 per cent of the votes in the Tory stronghold of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
Advocacy | April 26, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 22
Need for Speed: The Ontario government is raising the speed limit from 100 km/h to 110km/h on 10 additional sections of provincial highways. The changes will apply to certain sections of Highways 401, 403, 406, 416 and 69.
Advocacy | April 19, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 15
Pain at the Pumps: Premier Doug Ford lashed out about the sharp rise in gas prices this week. But what is causing it? Well, prices at Ontario gas stations are tied to what happens in the New York Harbour, which switched to the summer blend on April 16.
Advocacy | April 12, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 8
Homing In at Queen’s Park: The Ford government has unveiled a new omnibus bill focused on streamlining home building and approvals in the province. The Cutting Red Tape to Build More Housing Act includes a reduction in the amount of parking developers need to build, special rules to fast-track the construction of student accommodation and a “use-it-or-lose-it” policy. The province wants to get 1.5 million new homes built by 2031.
Legislative Update | April 05, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 1
Parts of Panhandling Law Unconstitutional: An Ontario court has struck down sections of the province's panhandling law. The Fair Change legal clinic argued the law violated several charter rights, including freedom of expression and the right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment.
Legislative Update | March 28, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 25
A First for Ontario Legislature: MPPs can now speak Indigenous languages at Queen's Park. While members were previously allowed to only speak either English or French, an amendment passed Tuesday allows them to also address the Speaker in an Indigenous language spoken in Canada. If members wish to do so, they must notify the clerk ahead of time so interpretation and translation services can be made available.
Legislative Update | March 26, 2024
OBA Update - Budget 2024
On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, the government tabled Building a Better Ontario, the 2024 provincial budget.
Advocacy | March 22, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 18
Lawsuit Over Basic Income Cancellation: The province is facing a class action lawsuit for the cancellation of its basic income pilot project. Law firm Cavalluzzo LLP says the suit, brought forward by 4,000 people who took part in the project, claims damages for the sudden cancellation in 2018 by the Ford government. The suit is seeking damages up to $200 million.
Advocacy | March 18, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 11
Action! Very Soon: Housing Minister Paul Calandra says he expects to introduce the spring housing bill “very soon.” In this case, “very soon” means after the March 26 budget. “I think there are some issues the budget will help facilitate, so we’ll do it after,” he told reporters at Queen’s Park. The Ford government introduces a new Housing Supply Action Plan every spring as it aims to boost supply to reach its goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2031.
Advocacy | March 18, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 11
Action! Very Soon: Housing Minister Paul Calandra says he expects to introduce the spring housing bill “very soon.” In this case, “very soon” means after the March 26 budget. “I think there are some issues the budget will help facilitate, so we’ll do it after,” he told reporters at Queen’s Park. The Ford government introduces a new Housing Supply Action Plan every spring as it aims to boost supply to reach its goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2031.
Legislative Update | March 08, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 4
B-Day at Queen’s Park: Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy will table the next Ontario budget on March 26. In a post on X Thursday morning, he said the budget will outline how the government is “rebuilding Ontario's economy without raising taxes and fees or putting more burden on businesses and municipalities." The OBA will have full coverage of the budget and how it impacts lawyers, as well as information about relevant policy initiatives. Stay tuned!
Advocacy | March 01, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 26
Remembering Brian Mulroney: Premier Doug Ford is remembering the late Brian Mulroney as a “mentor” and advisor”. “You wanna talk about leadership? You wanna talk about trailblazers, visionaries? That was Brian Mulroney,” Ford said of the former prime minister who passed away on Thursday at the age of 84.
Advocacy | February 23, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 19
Repeal Reveal: The provincial government quietly repealed Bill 124 on Friday morning through an Order in Council, which it says was permitted through the legislation. Bill 124 capped salary increases for public sector workers. It was struck down as unconstitutional and the Court of Appeal upheld that decision.
Legislative Update | February 16, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 12
Bill 124 Very Repealing: The province says it will repeal a wage-cap law on public sector workers that the Court of Appeal found unconstitutional on Monday. Bill 124 capped salary increases for public sector workers at one per cent a year for three years. It was struck down as unconstitutional and the Court of Appeal upheld that decision.
Legislative Update | February 12, 2024
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of February 5
Breakfast at Dougie’s: Ontario Premier Doug Ford met with his Alberta counterpart for a “working breakfast” at his home in Etobicoke, this week. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing criticism after introducing provincial legislation that, among other things, prohibits anyone under 18 from undergoing gender-affirming surgeries.
