Submissions and Legislative Updates

The Legislative Assembly resumed sitting this week, after rising in early December, with a continued focus on the province’s COVID-19 response.  The government announced expansion of its Main Street Relief Grant and an investment in a new COVID-19 contract tracing device for workplaces.  On the legislative front, the government introduced Bill 245, Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021 an omnibus bill comprised of 11 schedules.  

The 42nd Parliament of Ontario, which began its Fall Sitting on September 14 rose on December 8, 2020, concluding a Fall Session which saw 26 government Bills passed with the primary focus remaining on curbing the continued spread and impact of COVID-19.

This week in the legislature the government remained focused on curbing the continued spread and impact of COVID-19. The government announced the creation of a Support for Learners program to provide additional financial support to parents and an investment in the tourism industry to support its ‘long-term sustainability’.  

This week in the legislature the government remained focused on curbing the continued spread of COVID-19 as Toronto and the Region of Peel were placed in a 28-day lockdown. The government announced holiday celebrations should only take place with family members and also announced the release of new technology allowing for COVID-19 rapid tests. The Auditor General released a special report this week criticizing the government for its handling of the pandemic.  

This week in the legislature the government remained focused on the continued spread of COVID-19 as it made plans for further restrictions in the hardest hit areas in the lead up to the holiday season.  The government announced the creation of a new agency to centralize government procurement of supplies and equipment to help during the pandemic and announced an investment in justice system mental health services. 

The OBA provided a submission to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario on a guidance document relating to the supervisory approach to asset transfers under the Pension Benefits Act.

The OBA provided a submission to the Attorney General and the Minister of Finance on the impact of the Calmusky decision for estate planning in Ontario and proposed legislative amendments to remedy same.

The Legislature did not sit this week, as a result no new legislative matters proceeded. The government made a number of announcements this week to address the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 including funding for building and renovating long-term care homes and more COVID-19 tests in the Peel Region. 

This week in the legislature the government released the province’s 2020 Budget and continued to be focused on COVID-19 related issues.  The government announced a new framework for monitoring and responding to the pandemic and faced criticism regarding a supply shortage of flu shots.

The 2020 Ontario Budget was released on November 5 at Queen's Park.  The Budget, originally scheduled for release in March, was postponed as the government focused its efforts on emergency management during the pandemic.