Law Society of Ontario Supporting Continuation of the Certified Specialist Program and Ongoing LSO Oversight August 30, 2023 The CSP is an important and reliable indication to members of the public that verifies a lawyer’s expertise. It promotes access to justice and is important in promoting EDI. The CSP should be expanded to other areas, and remain under the supervision of the LSO.
Provincial Government Ontario Land Tribunal’s Rule of Practice and Procedure, Proposed Rule 26 (Expropriation Proceedings) August 11, 2023 OBA’s comments on the proposed revisions to Rule 26 in the Ontario Land Tribunal’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Provincial Government OBA Submission re: Consumer Protections Related to New Home Purchase Agreements and Price Escalations August 11, 2023 The OBA provides guidance and comments to the government on proposals to address price escalations and to improve consumer protections in new home purchase agreements post-sale. The submission speaks to proposals that include potential caps to price increases, adding a cooling-off period, permitting class actions, and mandatory legal review of purchase and sale agreements.
Input into the Proposed Approach for Regulations under the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act, 2022 August 03, 2023 The OBA provides guidance and comments to the government on the proposed approach to be taken for requiring public-sector entities to give preference to Ontario businesses in the procurement of goods and services under specified threshold amounts.
Administrative Monetary Penalties for Administrative Breaches of the Personal Health Information Protection Act: Proposed Amendments to Ontario Regulation 329/04 July 25, 2023 While the OBA supports of the objective of enhancing and encouraging compliance with PHIPA, the penalties proposed in the Regulation are excessive to the point of being punitive. The high amounts result in unintended negative consequences for patients impeding timely patient care. Procedural fairness protections are needed for those facing penalties.
Legal Aid Ontario Legal Aid Ontario Tariff Reforms 2021 July 17, 2023 Submission to Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) about proposed Tariff Reforms.
Other Bill 15: Fairness for Road Users Act (Contraventions Causing Death or Serious Bodily Harm) July 06, 2023 The OBA’s submission on Private Member’s Bill 15 – Fairness for Road Users Act, 2022 which seeks to amend the Highway Traffic Act. This submission focuses on the serious unintended consequences that would result from the wording.
Other Rule for the Disclosure of Partial Settlements June 30, 2023 The OBA supports an amendment to the Rules of Civil Procedure, which provides for a Rule to address the disclosure of partial settlements.
Provincial Government Submission re: Proposed Expansion of the Dispute Resolution Officer Program to the Ontario Court of Justice May 26, 2023 The OBA provided a submission to the Ontario Court of Justice’s (OCJ) Advisory Committee on Family Law and the Office of the Chief Justice of the OCJ proposing the expansion of the Dispute Resolution Officer Program to domestic family law matters in the provincial courts.
Provincial Government Input into the Licence Appeal Tribunal’s Common Rules of Practice and Procedure May 23, 2023 Submission to the Licence Appeal Tribunal on Rules 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 24 of the Common Rules of Practice & Procedure.