Submissions and Legislative Updates

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 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. 

This week in the legislature the government continued to be focused on COVID-19 related issues including funding in health care, education and housing supports.  The government faced scrutiny for proposing arts and science degree granting powers for the Canada Christian College under a COVID-19 omnibus bill. 

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, funding for mental health supports for children and youth and advising against ‘trick-or-treating’ on Hallowe’en.  

The Legislature did not sit this week, as a result no new legislative matters proceeded. Of interest to family lawyers, the Standing Committee on Justice Policy held public hearings on Bill 207, Moving Ontario Family Law Forward Act, 2020, at which the OBA appeared.  The government made a number of announcements this week to address ongoing concerns and impacts of COVID-19.