Up-to-date Sector Information

MAG has recently shared with the justice sector a document from the Ministry of Health (MOH) called COVID-19: Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination which provides additional clarity to help organizations communicate with staff and make determinations regarding the COVID-19 vaccinations, including helpful information about roles and responsibilities, approach to sequencing of vaccine distribution, and the province’s ethical framework. Those working in the justice sector are encouraged you to continue to monitor the Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario webpage and to connect with your local public health unit for details about when and how you, or your staff, could get a vaccine.

In November 2020, Convocation approved a plan that allows eligible licensees impacted by the pandemic to apply for a deferral of the payment of their 2021 Annual Fees until 2022. Applications are available on the LSO website, and are being accepted until March 31, 2021 for those licensed before January 1, 2021. For licensees licensed in 2021, an application for the deferral of the payment of 2021 Annual Fees must be submitted by the 30th of the month following the date of licensure.

The SCJ is seeking is seeking candidates to join new Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) panels for the Kingston, Kitchener and Welland Unified Family Courts. French-speaking or bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply to the Kingston and Welland panels.

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (“CHRT”) is seeking to appoint a Chairperson. The Tribunal carries out its Canadian Human Rights Act mandate through public hearings of complaints of discrimination based on the grounds enumerated in the Act. The successful applicant must be a member in good standing of the Bar of a province or territory or the Chambre des notaires du Québec for at least ten (10) years and must also have experience, expertise and interest in human rights. For more information on the position and the full job requirements, as well as how to apply, please see the posting here.

The SCJ has announced that references to sync.com in the Commercial List and Estates List Filing Direction have been removed effective March 15, 2021, as the Court will be using the CaseLines document-sharing platform exclusively. ​For more information, please see the Filing Direction.

On March 15, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada unveiled its new emblem which will replace the Supreme Courts’ use of the Arms of Canada. The new emblem represents Canada’s bilingual and bijural traditions, and the emblem’s stripes recall the the principals of peace and mutual respect embodied by the two-row wampum belt in the traditions of many First Peoples. For more information, please see this Media Release.

Updates for Ontario Court of Appeal

The Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee has advised it is inviting applications for 2 judicial positions in Sudbury presiding over criminal and family law matters (approximately 50% criminal and 50% family matters). The posting reads: "Applications must be on the current prescribed form and RECEIVED BY 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021. Applications received after this date WILL NOT be considered. The Judiciary of the Ontario Court of Justice should reflect the diversity of the population it serves. Applications from members of equality-seeking groups are encouraged." 

On February 19, 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched the process to select the next justice of the Supreme Court of Canada in order to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Madam Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella.

The Ministry of the Attorney General has announced that it will establish a threshold limit for small estates in order to simplify the probate process for such estates, as per the Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, 2020. Beginning on April 1, 2021, Ontario will set the limit for a small estate at $150,000 and will remove the requirement to post bond in most small estate probate applications.