Submissions and Legislative Updates

OBA supports: amending the Rules and the CJA s 140 to allow vexatious litigant orders to be obtained by motion (in addition to application) and on a judges own initiative; creating additional pathways for expedited access to the courts to pre-empt VL litigation; and creating a list of hallmarks of VLs to provide additional clarity and consistency. Special consideration needs to be given to the VL in Family Law matters.

Feed me Seymour: As the Greenbelt saga continues, there is increasing speculation about the impact all of this will have on the re-electability of the Premier and this government. The RCMP announced that their “Sensitive and International Investigations Unit” (SII) will investigate.

Call Me Maybe: Global News is reporting that Doug Ford has used his personal cell phone for government business but his office is refusing to divulge his phone logs claiming the need to maintain the privacy of callers. Fun Fact: the reason government officials are not permitted to use private communication devices is to ensure there is an official record of government business.

THIS WEEK AT QUEEN’S PARK (and elsewhere) Federal Minister Joins OBA for Media Launch of Peer Support Network for Lawyers Living with Disabilities: OBA President, Kelly McDermott and Canada’s Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, Carla Qualtrough spoke to the media and special guests about the first-of-its-kind support program which is central to Ms. McDermott’s mandate. The CBC and other media outlets carried the story which will raise awareness. Learn more about this support network here.

Peer Support Network Launch: The OBA is incredibly excited to be joined by The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, for the upcoming launch of the OBA Peer-to-Peer Support Network.

Tories Circle Wagons: Progressive Conservative MPPs have blocked a bid by Liberal MPP McMahon to have former cabinet minister Steve Clark and other senior officials appear before a legislative committee regarding the Greenbelt / developer scandal.

Cabinet Shuffle: Following Minister Steve Clark's resignation, Premier Ford shuffled his cabinet.  The Hon. Paul Calandra takes over as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Hon. Stan Cho becomes Minister of Long-Term Care, the Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria is the new Minister of Transportation and the Hon. Caroline Mulroney is President of Treasury Board.  Steve Clark continues to be an MPP and a member of the Conservative Caucus.

Greenbelt Gall: A developer who attempted to sell two Greenbelt parcels, instead of building housing, suffered the wrath of DoFo. In a scathing statement, the Premier put the owners “on notice” that the government will require real progress to be made by the end of the year, with a plan to get shovels in the ground by 2025, or else the land will be returned to Greenbelt.

The CSP is an important and reliable indication to members of the public that verifies a lawyer’s expertise. It promotes access to justice and is important in promoting EDI. The CSP should be expanded to other areas, and remain under the supervision of the LSO.

Greenbelt Surrender: The Chief of Staff to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing at the center of the Greenbelt controversy has resigned in the wake of the scathing Auditor General’s report. This is unlikely to quell opposition calls for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Premier to resign.