Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Legislative Update | March 31, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 24
OBA Seeks "Urgency, Transparency and Accountability" from LSO: In an op-ed published on Thursday, the OBA urged the Law Society of Ontario to deal quickly with the current crisis and then shift its focus from the insular considerations of how to govern itself to the vital work of governing. “These are hard times for the rule of law, access to justice and our economic stability. Lawyers have a critical role to play," OBA President Kathryn Manning wrote. “We must get past this issue and turn our efforts to these fundamental matters. The only way past this issue is to chart a straightforward course through; there is no getting around it. We look forward to working with the many benchers who recognize that.”
Submission | March 11, 2025
Consumer Protection Act, 2023 - Phase 1 Regulatory Proposals
The OBA provides several recommendations for the first phase of the Consumer Protection Act, 2023 regulations, including general contract rules, continuations and amendments, purchase-cost-plus leases, and more.
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 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.”
Submission | November 18, 2024
LSO Increased Transparency Proposal
The OBA provides feedback to the Law Society of Ontario recommending it reject the Increased Transparency proposal as outlined. The public protection goals are important shared objectives, but the proposal has an extreme imbalance between the risks to licensees and the profession, and those public protection goals. We urge the LSO to work with legal stakeholders on an updated proposal that achieves the necessary balance for the profession and the public.
Submission | November 12, 2024
Consultation on Proposals relating to Modernizing the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002
The Ontario Bar Association (“OBA”) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the proposals relating to the modernization of the Ontario Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002 (“MVDA”), as described in the April 2024 consultation paper (“Consultation Paper”), “Modernizing the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002: Proposals to Enhance Consumer Protection, Reduce Burden, and Improve Regulatory Efficiency”, which was released by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (“Ministry”).
