This new practice direction and order amend earlier practice directions and orders dated April 4, April 29 and May 29.
Subject to the amendments described, the aforementioned practice directions and orders remain in force. The direction and order indicates a consolidated version of these documents will be prepared in the coming days.
The June 11 Practice Direction and Order (COVID-19): Update #4, considers these amendments to be justified by the evolving health and safety conditions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those conditions differ significantly across the country. In particular, the risks presented by COVID-19 are significantly less in Western Canada and in Atlantic Canada than they are elsewhere. Having regard to the advice of public health authorities, superior trial courts in most provinces have announced plans for a gradual expansion of their operations over the course of the next several weeks. This includes an expanded range of virtual hearings and some in-person hearings.