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.
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.
License Appeal Tribunal | June 04, 2025
License Appeal Tribunal – Revised Adjournment Request Form
Effective June 16, 2025, the LAT will implement a revised Request for an Adjournment Form to ensure it has the information and documentation needed to consider and respond to requests for an adjournment in a fair and timely manner.
Municipal Law | June 03, 2025
Former OBA president, Kelly McDermott, awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
On May 28 during the OBA’s Municipal Law Section Award Reception, senior solicitor at the Region of Durham and former president of the OBA, Kelly McDermott was awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal.
