Submissions and Legislative Updates

This week in the Legislature, the government’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be the focus of debate with the government announcing the creation of mobile vaccine units for small and medium sized businesses in provincial hot spots.  With daily COVID-19 cases ranging between 2800 to 3400, the government continued to announce funding for COVID-19 priorities including funding for seniors struggling with COVID-19 related cognitive impairments. 

The Legislature did not sit this week.  The government’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be the focus of government announcements this past week including the Premier’s decision to once again enact a provincial emergency and stay-at-home order.  The government announced funding this week for a manufacturing plant that produces disinfectants to help against the spread of COVID-19 and the Toronto school boards switched to remote learning. 

This week in the Legislature, the government’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be the focus of debate with the government announcing a provincewide ‘emergency brake’ today, restricting in person activities.  The government announced funding this week for four hours of free legal advice for survivors of sexual assault commencing May 1, and $200M to support small business in Ontario’s tourism and hospitality industry impacted by the pandemic. 

This week in the Legislature, the government released the 2021-2022 budget.  The province’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be the focus of debate and government announcements, including announcements that restaurant staff would be added to the essential workers list for the purposes of earlier access to vaccines and funding for transportation to help seniors and people with disabilities reach vaccine centres. 

The Legislature did not sit this week, as a result no new legislative matters proceeded. The government made a number of announcements to address ongoing concerns and impacts of COVID-19 including the launch of the online booking system for vaccine appointments for those over 80, investments in recruiting and training staff for long-term care homes and investments in new long-term care projects. 

The OBA provided a submission to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly on Bill 245, Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021 (Schedules 8 & 9).

This week in the Legislature, the government marked the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaration of COVID-19 as a Global Pandemic.  The province’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be the focus of debate and government announcements, including announcement that all Ontario residents will receive their first vaccination shot by June 20, investments in youth mental health and homelessness shelters.

The OBA provided a submission to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly on Bill 245, Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021 (Schedule 3).

This week in the Legislature, the government’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be the focus of debate and the focus of government announcements including, a technical briefing on March 5, 2021 of vaccine roll outs. Notably, courts and justice system workers and youth justice workers will be included at the end of Phase 2.

This week in the Legislature, the government’s plans to address COVID-19 continued to be front and centre including an announcement of free tuition for 6000 new Personal Support Workers, and the announcement that Ontario will launch its online portal for booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments on March 15.