Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
Legislative Update | April 07, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of April 7
Province Wants More Strong Mayors: Ontario is proposing to expand strong mayor powers to the heads of council in 169 additional municipalities starting in May. The province said on Wednesday that the expansion would help ensure municipalities have the tools they need to reduce obstacles to new housing and infrastructure developments. The additional municipalities would include the City of Orillia, the Township of Uxbridge, the Town of Wasaga Beach, the Township of King, and the Town of Collingwood. The government first granted the powers to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa in 2022, and since then has expanded them a few times. Public comments on the proposal may be submitted via email until April 16, 2025.
Legislative Update | April 04, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 31
Ford Calls Tariffs “Unacceptable”: Canada got "the best of a bad deal" when the country was spared yet another volley of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says. But that deal is still "totally unacceptable," Ford was quick to add when speaking with reporters at Queen's Park Thursday, noting the threat to the nation's auto sector especially is still "very high." Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced Canada is retaliating against Trump's trade policy with a 25 per cent tariff on vehicles imported from the U.S. that are not compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Article | March 31, 2025
Adapting to Tariffs: Legal Insights for Municipalities in Ontario
The recent imposition of tariffs on construction materials has significant consequences for Ontario municipalities. Tariffs will drive up costs for infrastructure projects, requiring municipalities to adjust procurement strategies, seek alternative suppliers, and explore new cost-sharing opportunities. Re-evaluating budget projections, exploring local sourcing options, and revisiting risk allocation or procurement policies will be necessary for municipalities to adapt, minimize disruptions, and maintain budgetary control in an unpredictable global trade environment.
Legislative Update | March 31, 2025
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of March 24
OBA Seeks "Urgency, Transparency and Accountability" from LSO: In an op-ed published on Thursday, the OBA urged the Law Society of Ontario to deal quickly with the current crisis and then shift its focus from the insular considerations of how to govern itself to the vital work of governing. “These are hard times for the rule of law, access to justice and our economic stability. Lawyers have a critical role to play," OBA President Kathryn Manning wrote. “We must get past this issue and turn our efforts to these fundamental matters. The only way past this issue is to chart a straightforward course through; there is no getting around it. We look forward to working with the many benchers who recognize that.”
Article | March 25, 2025
The Bill 185 Aftermath – Great Expectations and Unintended Consequences – 2856973 Ontario v Toronto
It has been over nine months since Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024, received Royal Assent. A recent case from the Ontario Land Tribunal raises the question whether the Province has struck the appropriate balance of streamlining municipal approvals, and providing recourse to landowners who are impacted by municipal planning decisions. In instances where the landowners do not consent to scope their appeals, is the Provincial intent of Bill 185 still being appropriately balanced?
Article | March 24, 2025
Municipally Administered Provincial Administrative Monetary Penalty Systems
Several Ontario municipalities have taken on court administration and prosecution responsibilities under the Provincial Offences Act (POA), but limited judicial resources have led to significant case backlogs and eroded public confidence in the justice system. The financial burden on municipalities has increased, while fines and penalties have remained unchanged for over two decades, making the current system unsustainable. To address these challenges, there is growing support for shifting minor infractions to an Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) system, freeing up court resources for more serious offences.
