Up-to-date Sector Information

The Ministry of the Attorney General has issued a Notice to the Profession regarding changes to the Family Law Rules with respect to court forms. The following changes will take effect on September 1, 2020

CIPO has announced a further and final extension to August 24, 2020 of all deadlines on IP matters under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act. At this time, CIPO is not planning any further extensions.

The Ontario government has announced its plan for the safe reopening of schools for in-class instruction in September. For more information, see the news release and the provincial guide to reopening schools.

The Ontario government announced today that the new COVID Alert app is available for download. The app, which is a part of the provincial government’s case and contact management strategy as regions enter into Stage 3 of reopening, lets users know if they may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

On July 31, the Active Screening Tool was updated.

One July 28, the OCJ issued a Notice to the Profession and the Public related to criminal case management. Given health and safety restrictions, in-person attendances for criminal court case management appearances cannot be accommodated at this time. On Monday August 10, 2020, a virtual criminal case management court pilot will be launched in Ottawa and Kitchener, in which criminal case management appearances will be conducted by videoconference or audioconference.

On July 29, the Ontario government announced it has launched an independent commission into COVID-19 and long-term care. Three commissions will investigate the impact of COVID-19 within long-term care home and will provide the government with guidance on how to better protect residents and staff of long-term care homes from future outbreaks.

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has announced that as of July 24, declared emergency leave is no longer available under the ESA. In addition, the “COVID-19 Period” will end as of September 4, 2020. For more information click here.

The Canadian Digital Service, which partners with federal departments to design, test and build services, is beta testing a federal mobile app intended to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by notifying Canadians of exposure. You can learn more or take part in the research here.

As of July 26, 2020, lawyers will now be able to bill Legal Aid Online for COVID JPT and Myers (s.525) reviews as a part of LAO’s emergency response for the COVID-19 pandemic.