Submissions and Legislative Updates

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. 

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 OBA made a submission to the Office of the Assistant Deputy Attorney General on the definition of “child” under the Children’s Law Reform Act.

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.