New OBA campaign brings rule of law understanding to public

Law360 Canada (April 20, 2026, 3:27 PM EDT) -- This month, the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) launched its Rule of Law campaign in which local lawyers host discussions in their communities to help the public better understand the rule of law and its everyday importance to democracy.

“This campaign is about moving the rule of law and the conversations that are happening about the rule of law out of legal circles and into everyday conversations in our communities,” said OBA president Katy Commisso.

“Lawyers, especially recently, have done a really good job about talking about the rule of law within our profession, and I think we should be really proud of that work. But this initiative is about opening that conversation up, bringing community leaders, educators and residents into the conversation.”

She said what makes this initiative unique from others is that it’s being brought outside of the legal profession and into libraries, rotary clubs, schools and other community spaces, inviting people into the conversation about the rule of law in their lives.

“I think events around the world continue to remind us that democratic institutions can’t be taken for granted, and it’s more important than ever that people understand what protects them,” said Commisso.

Some examples of impact on daily life include employment, the ability to have housing, the “rules of the road” and how the rule of law informs expectations that we have as a community, she noted, saying these are aspects that could be easily taken for granted. The presentations explain how rule of law operates in practice, she added.

“One of the goals is that the public sees themselves as stakeholders in the rule of law, and not just observers of it,” Commisso explained. 

“If something gets raised or there’s something going on in the world that’s being discussed, and someone in that conversation is a little bit more informed about what the rule of law is, I think we will have felt like we have done our job.”

She added that there would be a sense of accomplishment if people being spoken with and presented to go out to their communities, groups, families and friends in a more informed manner about the rule of law or are more motivated by having an understanding of how important it is to everyday life.

Presentations were prepared by the OBA with lawyers presenting them in the regions they’re a part of. The lawyers also have flexibility to address their communities and adapt and evolve based on who the participants are, presenting in a way that’s informed by their knowledge of their own communities.

Subject matter in the presentation is about the rule of law generally — how it touches various aspects of life, what could happen when there are signs of erosion of the rule of law, things to watch out for and its overall importance.

The OBA noted that without the rule of law, courts are weakened, and rights that were once secure can disappear; these are not necessarily distant or abstract problems.

“This is a moment to bring these conversations out of courtrooms, out of legal circles and into these everyday spaces in a more conversational way. Because those are the spaces where democracy lives,” said Commisso.

“I think at the OBA, we recognize that we’re uniquely positioned to lead the way on this work, because we do have a reach that extends into all the judicial regions, different practice areas, lawyers who are parts of different communities. So we’re excited to be calling on all of our OBA member resources to do that work.”

She added that an aim is to empower communities for the future.

“We’re hoping that the goal is long-term understanding, especially among young people, who will be shaping the future of our democracy, of the rule of law.”

Commisso stated that OBA members are leaders that always want to give back and seek opportunities to do so. Given events going on in the world, it seemed like the appropriate time to broaden the rule of law discussions out to the public and draw on the expertise of the members.

“This is not a one-month conversation. It’s going to be an ongoing effort from the OBA to strengthen public understanding of the foundations of our democracy,” she said.

“The more people understand the rule of law, the better equipped we all are to protect it.”

The presentations are held in April to coincide with the anniversary of the signing of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Law Day, which was observed on the 17th of this month.

More information on the Rule of Law campaign and remaining presentations dates can be accessed on the OBA’s website.

Rule of Law campaign event photos provided by the OBA. 

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