Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Article | May 11, 2026
Judicial Independence in an Age of Political Contestation
Judicial independence is often described as a constitutional principle and a cornerstone of the Canadian legal system. At its core, it guarantees that judges decide cases based solely on fact and law, free from external influence. But at critical moments, judicial independence becomes something more tangible - contested, scrutinized, and at times, publicly misunderstood. Recent developments have brought renewed attention to the judiciary’s role within our democratic framework. These moments provide an opportunity not only to reaffirm the doctrine of judicial independence, but also to examine how it operates in practice - particularly where legal decision-making intersects with broader governmental priorities and public sentiment.
Media Release | May 11, 2026
Ontario Justice Centres Honoured with OBA President’s Award for Transforming Access to Justice
Ontario Bar Association President, Katy Commisso, is recognizing Ontario’s Justice Centres with the association’s annual OBA President’s Award.
Legislative Update | May 08, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of May 4
Article | May 07, 2026
What I Learned Teaching Undergraduates About Employment and Labour Law
Canada's youngest in the workforce are among the most vulnerable. Their anecdotal stories highlight the need for further and better education on workplace rights for Canada's youth.
Article | May 07, 2026
The $269,000 Question: How Adelman v. IBM Changed the Way Courts Value Stock Awards
A 59-year-old IBM executive was awarded $682,151.18 in wrongful dismissal damages – but it's the novel approach to valuing cancelled equity that employers and employees alike should be watching.
Article | May 06, 2026
Screening out Access to Justice? Court Reins in Jurisdictional Dismissals at the HRTO
Recently, the Ontario Divisional Court in Bokhari v. Top Medical Transportation Services, 2026 ONSC 1073 (Bokhari) provided definitive guidance on the proper approach to jurisdictional screening at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (the Tribunal). The decision restores the “plain and obvious” standard for dismissal of applications for lack of jurisdiction. While the decision expands access to relief under the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code), it simultaneously weakens a key procedural tool used by the Tribunal to reduce its backlog. Whether the decision ultimately enhances access to justice remains to be seen.
Article | May 04, 2026
Employment Law Update: Key Changes and Obligations for Ontario Employers in 2026
The employment law landscape in Ontario underwent several changes over the past year through legislative reform and case law developments. As we are near the end of Q1 2026, this review serves as an overview of the key legal developments from 2025 (and a couple of former changes that need review annually), designed to help employers maintain compliance for the balance of the year and onward.
