Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Legislative Update | July 21, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of July 14
First Nations Groups File Legal Challenge to Ontario’s Bill 5, Feds’ Bill C-5: A coalition of Ontario First Nations is taking legal action to try and throw out provincial and federal legislation designed to fast-track major projects, saying the two laws threaten their rights and “ways of life.” Nine First Nation groups are bringing urgent litigation to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to try and kill Ontario’s Bill 5 and the federal government’s Bill C-5. The Ford government passed Bill 5 in June, which allows it to create special economic zones where municipal and provincial laws can be suspended. Similarly, the federal Bill C-5 allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big projects deemed to be in the national interest, such as mines, ports and pipelines, by sidestepping existing laws.
Advocacy | July 07, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of June 30
New Regional Senior Justice Appointed to the OCJ: Justice Anthony Frederick Leitch has been appointed regional senior justice for the Central West Region of the Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ), effective September 1. He had been the acting senior judge in the region since 2023.
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario | July 07, 2025
Ontario Human Rights Commission – 2024-2025 Annual Report
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its 2024–2025 annual report entitled Cultivating a Culture of Dignity and Respect: A Shared Responsibility. This report provides an overview of the OHRC’s efforts to fulfil its mandate to the public.
Legislative Update | June 06, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of June 2
Ford Government Passes Mining Legislation: Bill 5, or the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, passed third reading this week and has been granted royal assent by the lieutenant governor. The legislation will create so-called special economic zones where laws, ranging from municipal approvals to environmental rules or even labour law, won’t apply. At Queen’s Park on Wednesday, cries of protest rang out from the galleries inside the legislature as MPPs voted. Indigenous leaders have vowed to keep fighting against the legislation.
Article | June 03, 2025
Past, Present, and Future Perspectives on the Notwithstanding Clause
The notwithstanding clause, s. 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is a constitutional provision that plays a significant role in some of Canada’s most recent controversial legal issues. In December, the Ontario Bar Association gathered legal, policy, and political experts to discuss its use. The event featured a full day of engaging conversations and critical analysis. The day began with a historical overview of the Charter and the origins of the notwithstanding clause, delivered by Dr. Thomas Axworthy. The later panel discussions explored key trends in its use to date, as well as perspectives on the pros and cons of invoking the notwithstanding clause in the future.
