2019

Last November, Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General announced plans for a juror counselling program to be in place in the new year. Per this announcement, the Ontario’s Juror Support Program was officially launched on January 31, 2017.

Today, Canadian Bar Association President René Basque, Q.C., issued the following statement on the implications of US Executive Order on protecting the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the US.

OBA Institute, an award-winning continuing professional development (CPD) event for Canadian lawyers, will take place February 7-11, 2017.

Earlier today, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynn announced new updates to the provincial cabinet. She named Marie-France Lalonde as the new Community Safety and Corrections Minister – a position that became vacant following David Orazietti’s recent departure.

Happy new year! I am honoured to have had the opportunity to work with such dedicated volunteers and staff in 2016. It is our combined effort and enthusiasm that helps ensure our members are heard. I look forward to continuing our important work in 2017.

The decision of the Law Society’s Professional Development and Competence Committee to keep the Law Practice Program running for its full five years has been named one of the Law Times top news stories of 2016.

OBA President David Sterns penned an article for the Toronto Star, outlining some of the efforts that could be taken immediately to help modernize Ontario’s court infrastructure. Bringing technology to Ontario’s courts is one way to help the profession practice more efficiently and help build the public’s confidence in our cherished justice system.

As a reminder to the profession, a number of changes have been made to Rule 48.14 of the Rules of Civil Procedure (Dismissal of Action for Delay) and will become effective January 1, 2017.

Building on a resolution of the Canadian Bar Association’s national council, the OBA’s Women Lawyers Forum and Civil Litigation Section recently proposed amendments to the Consolidated Provincial Practice Direction to accommodate the needs of lawyers appearing in court while pregnant in letters to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal for Ontario.

At Convocation on December 2, 2016, the Law Society adopted the Final Report of the Challenges Faced by Racialized Licensees Working Group, entitled "Working Together for Change: Strategies to Address Issues of Systemic Racism in the Legal Professions – November 2016." The Report contains 13 recommendations related to five themes: accelerating a culture shift, measuring progress, educating for change, implementing supports, and leading by example.