Access to Justice
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June 27, 2025
Limit oral discovery rather than eliminate it, group says in response to Ontario civil rules review
The association representing trial lawyers in Ontario is raising concerns over proposals to radically revamp Ontario’s civil rules, raising concerns that it is being done without the support of proper data.
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June 27, 2025
Bill C-5 and the Building Canada Act: Deregulation in a ‘national interest’ costume?
On June 6, 2025, the federal Liberal government tabled Bill C-5 — the One Canadian Act — containing two parts: a free trade framework and the Building Canada Act. As of June 26, 2025, this bill is now federal law.
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June 27, 2025
Why Ontario appeal court took ‘drastic step’ in impaired case
Can a revolving door be slammed in a person’s face? As unlikely as that might seem, it is what the Ontario Court of Appeal did to self-represented Melissa Hart in its recent judgment, R. v. Hart, 2025 ONCA 451.
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June 26, 2025
Federal Court approves $40M fees for class counsel in $5B ‘Indian hospitals’ abuse settlement
The Federal Court has approved fees of $40 million for class counsel who negotiated a settlement worth an estimated $3.35 billion to $5.45 billion in a federal class action concerning allegations of abuse at the segregated federal institutions known as “Indian hospitals.”
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June 26, 2025
Bennett Jensen receives Law Foundation of Ontario’s 2025 Guthrie Award
The Law Foundation of Ontario has awarded the 2025 Guthrie Award, which recognizes exceptional access-to-justice champions, to Bennett Jensen.
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June 26, 2025
Autonomy, security of tenure key principles for ensuring ombudsman independence, council says
The Canadian Council of Parliamentary Ombudsman (CCPO) has endorsed a set of key principles designed to ensure the independence, effectiveness and accountability of ombuds institutions across Canada.
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June 26, 2025
Severe prison overcrowding in Ontario requires urgent government action, warns ombudsman
Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé is calling on the government of Premier Doug Ford to act urgently to address a prison overcrowding crisis that helped lead to a December 2023 incident at Milton, Ont.’s Maplehurst Correctional Complex, when nearly 200 inmates were forcibly removed from their cells using flash grenades, had their wrists zip-tied, were stripped to their underwear and were forced to sit on the floor facing the walls while the temperature was lowered.
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June 26, 2025
OSC provides $875K to support Osgoode Investor Protection Clinic’s pro bono work
The Ontario Securities Commission has announced that it will provide funding up to $875,000 over a five-year period to the Osgoode Hall Law School Investor Protection Clinic (Osgoode IPC), which provides pro bono legal support to those who have suffered an investment loss but are unable to afford a lawyer to represent them.
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June 26, 2025
Rock and law: Defying authority and shattering conventions
Long a cultural battleground, rock and roll fills a space where artistic expression vibrates with the energy of rebellion and the spirit of freedom. Yet, beneath the raw sound and electrifying performances lies a fascinating interplay with the law. Legal themes permeate rock and roll, influencing everything from censorship battles to intellectual property disputes and social justice.
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June 26, 2025
Ontario law society benchers tackle governance, family law reforms at June meeting
Benchers of the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) met at convocation on June 25 with their newly re-elected leader pledging to restore trust in the regulator after a pay scandal surrounding its former CEO.