Here are some comments from the introduction of the new justice legislation from @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen .@lparkpc says the Act is focused on "making changes that improve our justice system so that people spend less time and less money in court, where appropriate, and are able to access the supports they need.”
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc Downey says MAG benefitted from the Ontario justice community's "drive to do things better" and its suggestions for improvements. He says people have wondered why they need to hire someone to manage a simple matter, only to find out how complex and outdated the court system is.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc "We are proposing more than 20 sensible legislative and regulatory improvements, in many cases to statutes that are decades old," says Downey.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc "At the same time, law-abiding Ontarians all agree crime should not pay." Administrative forfeiture system would make it harder for criminals to "hold on to the proceeds of their crimes." These proceeds would instead be "reinvested" in justice support services, he says.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc It will be easier for victims to sue over #revengeporn issues, he says.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc "Every legal transaction shouldn't require a trip to a law office," says Downey. Proposal will allow online verification of documents.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc Will include real estate transactions, selling a vehicle to family or affidavits, he says, with "safeguards" to be consulted on. Separately, probate applications for smaller estates will be require less hassle, he says.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc The new legislation gives LAO power to make more rules but also requires more consultation with the public, says Downey, adding that the government is giving LAO what it asked for.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc Fmr. AG and LAO Chair Charles Harnick says he endorses the changes to the Legal Aid Services Act. A "careful and open-minded review of the act was long overdue." More operational independence for LAO will allow high quality and "value for money," he says.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc The fundamental role of legal aid services providers, staff duty counsel, clinics, the private bar and student services is safeguarded by LAO's independence under the new bill, Harnick says.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc Next up is @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer, who says the LSO is pleased with the amendments to the Law Society act, "all of which provide greater public protection" and "assist in the regulation of the professions in the public interest."
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer .#LSOConvocation will have authority to make bylaws on firm regulation, Mercer says. It should reduce burdens for lawyers within firms: "We recognize that many professional decisions once made by an individual lawyer or paralegal are increasingly determined by firm policies"
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer More clarity at LSO about disclosure about complaints and investigations where appropriate, and increase transparency. Also, enhanced information sharing with other law societies.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer LSO will continue to have a role in board appointments to LAO
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer Big news: Paralegals can become notaries now!
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer Question to Downey: Why not roll back more of the #legalaidcuts? He says "We decided it is at a level where it is sustainable and efficient."
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer The decision on cuts not a deferral, "it's just not happening," he says.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer On Crown immunity: "People who have meritorious cases can still move forward."
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer Example of more efficiency: Uncontested civil forfeiture will be shifted outside the courts to free up resources, says Downey.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer Downey says he wants to get from 56% to 90% on video bail, but that's not in this Act.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer On the Auditor General report, he says he's open to having a "healthy" discourse. But he says some files have sensitive information about children and things like that.
@LawTimes @douglasdowney @ONAttorneyGen @lparkpc @mmercertoronto @LSOTreasurer As to legal aid funding for immigration and refugees, the "one-year deal" with the federal government remains. He says that some provinces don't do immigration legal service funding at all. And with that, a wrap.
