LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY UPDATE – Week of July 6th July 10, 2020 On Tuesday, the government introduced Bill 195, Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020. The legislation allows for the government to continue the use of existing emergency powers otherwise restricted for use under a Declaration of Emergency. The current Declaration of Emergency was introduced on March 17th and has been renewed within each consecutive two week period.
Other OBA Submission on the new Legal Aid Services Act March 10, 2020 The OBA submission raised three specific issues that it would like to see addressed with respect to the proposed Legal Aid Services Act in Bill 161: (1) Ensuring additional funding for court-ordered services currently covered directly by the Attorney General; (2) Clarifying a fair process regarding information disclosure for lawyers who represent LAO clients; and, (3) Clarifying proportional representation on the LAO Board.
Provincial Government Pre-Budget Consultation Letter February 11, 2020 As part of the provincial government’s pre-budget consultations, the OBA asked the government to commit to adequate and predictable funding for the legal aid system and ensure adequate funding of a comprehensive strategy that recognizes the prevalence of mental health issues for society’s most vulnerable who are served by lawyers in all areas of the legal aid system.
Provincial Government, Legal Aid Ontario OBA Submission Regarding the Legal Aid Ontario Modernization Project October 31, 2019 The Ministry of the Attorney General, in partnership with Legal Aid Ontario is currently engaged in the Legal Aid Ontario Modernization Project (“Project”). The mandate of the Project is to develop and implement reform proposals and legislative amendments that will contribute to moving the legal aid system towards sustainability and modernized service delivery to better meet the needs of low-income Ontarians through governance and service delivery improvements.
Other Response to the Law Society of Ontario's Access to Justice Approach: Call for Comment May 31, 2019 This submission is in response to the Law Society of Ontario's Access to Justice Committee's "Review of the Law Society's Access to Justice Approach: Call for Comment"
Law Society of Ontario Comments on the LSO's Options for Lawyer Licensing October 31, 2018 The OBA has responded to the LSO's Dialogue on Licensing (2018) consultation paper. The submission was prepared by the OBA Special Committee on Licensing with the input of the OBA Provincial Council.
Law Society of Ontario Law Society of Ontario Governance Task Force Call for Comment: Options for Enhanced Governance October 19, 2018 The OBA responds to the LSO's consultation on Governance, relating to the size and composition of Convocation, other considerations that will to enhance governance effectiveness, as well as the terms, term limits and terminology proposed.
Provincial Government OBA Pre-Budget Consultation Letter February 07, 2018 The OBA provides a submission to the Minister of Finance regarding pre-budget consultations with individuals and organizations throughout the province.
Law Society of Ontario President's Letter re Statement of Principles November 24, 2017 The OBA wrote to the Law Society to reiterate the OBA’s unequivocal support for the CFRL Report and to identify failures to date in the implementation of the requirement for a Statement of Principles
Law Society of Ontario Law Society of Upper Canada Challenges Faced by Racialized Licensees Working Group Final Report November 21, 2016 The Ontario Bar Association (“OBA”) appreciates the opportunity to comment on issues raised in the Law Society of Upper Canada (“Law Society”) Challenges Faced by Racialized Licensees Working Group (“Working Group”) Final Report “Working Together for Change: Strategies to Address Issues of Systemic Racism in the Legal Professions” (the “Final Report”).