Author: The Great Library

House of Bills: A Weekly Update on Ontario Bills

After their winter break, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario is officially back in session as of February 18, 2020.  This also marks the return of the Great Library’s weekly updates of Ontario legislative activity in our House of Bills blog series.

Though the Legislature returned on February 18, our first post of the year includes activity preceding this date. This is because, if designated, committees can meet during any recess or adjournment (Click here for the calendar listing of dates on which committees or the House can meet). We have included all committee activity of this year thus far below.  

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January 2 – February 20
42nd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill 141, Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act, 2020

Considered by Standing Committee on Social Policy (Jan 16 & 29)

Bill 145, Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2020

Considered by Standing Committee on General Government (Jan 8, Feb 3 & Feb 19)
Reported as amended (Feb 20)

Bill 156, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020

Second Reading (Feb 18 & Feb 20)

Bill 159, Rebuilding Consumer Confidence Act, 2020

Considered by Standing Committee on Justice Policy (Jan 20-22)

Bill 161, Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, 2020

Second Reading (Feb 19)

Bill 162, Public Accountability and Lobbyist Transparency Act, 2020

Second Reading, Carried (Feb 20)
Ordered referred to Committee of the Whole House (Feb 20)

Bill 163, Food Day Ontario (Food Day Canada in Ontario) Act, 2020

Second Reading, Carried, (Feb 20)
Ordered referred to Standing Committee on General Government (Feb 20)

Bill 167, Legislative Assembly Amendment Act, 2020

Second Reading, Carried (Feb 18)
Ordered referred to Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly (Feb 18)

Bill 171, Building Transit Faster Act, 2020

First Reading (Feb 18)

Bill 172, Education Statute Law Amendment Act (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), 2020

First Reading (Feb 18)

One to Watch – Ontario Bill 161, Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, 2019

The Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, 2019 (Bill 161) was introduced late last year by Attorney General Doug Downey. The stated aim of this ambitious 80-page package of reforms is to simplify Ontario’s complex and outdated justice system. If passed, the bill will make changes, large and small, to over 20 acts impacting the courts, legal aid, legal practice and regulation.

Here are a few key Bill 161 amendments:

Class Proceedings Act (Schedule 4)

  • introduces a more rigorous certification test, new provisions for approval of third-party funding, coordination of multi-jurisdictional actions, administrative dismissal of  dormant proceedings, and procedural changes relating to appeals, carriage motions and settlement and counsel fee approvals

Commissioners for the Taking of Affidavits Act (Schedule 5)

  • allows for virtual (remote) commissioning of documents

Estates Act (Schedule 9)

  • introduces a simplified probate process for small estates

Law Society Act (Schedule 14)

  • grants the Law Society of Ontario the authority to regulate firms, in addition to regulating lawyers and paralegals individually

Notaries Act (Schedule 19)

  • allows paralegals to be appointed as notaries

A complete summary of amendments can be found in the Explanatory Note to Bill 161.

Legal organizations, academics and practitioners have already responded to various aspects of the bill. See for example:

Since Bill 161 received first reading on December 9, 2019, just days before the Legislature adjourned for its winter break, it has thus far not been debated in the House or Committee. But MPPs return to work today, so stay tuned. 

Legal Research Survival Guide, Part 10 – Lifelines and Last Tips

In this last installment of our Legal Research Survival Guide, we’d like to leave you with some final tips and advice for surviving, and thriving, during your time as an articling, LPP or summer student.

Continue reading “Legal Research Survival Guide, Part 10 – Lifelines and Last Tips”