In our August 11, 2020 article, we previously wrote about the enforcement of residential evictions in Ontario, which were temporarily suspended at the outset of the pandemic. Resumption of residential evictions began on August 4, 2020. At the time that the temporary freeze on evictions came into effect, there were approximately 3,000 evictions in the City of Toronto (the “City”) that had been placed on hold. As enforcement of these back-logged evictions proceeds, there are serious concerns that mass evictions will occur, resulting in a wave of increased homelessness that the City must handle.

Many tenants and landlords alike have become increasingly concerned about the changes that the Government of Ontario is proposing to make to the Residential Tenancies Act (“RTA”).

Under the Residential Tenancies Act (“RTA”), landlords may only evict tenants for certain reasons. However, in a hot rental market, landlords may falsify reasons to evict a tenant, so that the unit may be renovated and re-rented at a much higher price. This is known as a “renoviction”.

On Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m., the Ontario government reopened a large portion of the construction industry. However, in order to resume construction, contractors must comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. This article takes a look at how your residential construction project may be impacted going forward.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has unleashed havoc in many industries as a result of forced business closures and social distancing orders. The government and court have provided some guidance on how COVID-19 will impact residential leases, but still, there has been a lot of uncertainty for residential landlords and tenants. This article will focus on why it is important for residential landlords and tenants to work out if necessary, payment or deferral of rent.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the economy has been struggling to maintain the balance between continued delivery of essential services and the need to promote physical distancing. Ontario’s court system has been trying to balance public health concerns with the need to continue promoting access to justice.

Much like the reception that greeted ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft when they first entered Toronto’s marketplace, there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the short-term housing rental economy ever since apps like Airbnb gained popularity in the city.

In our December post, we provided information on laws that you may see in 2020. As we celebrate our 10th year, we're detailing the ten laws that already have or will definitely change this year.

Federal Tax Changes
 The basic amount that most Canadians can earn tax- free increased on January 1 to $13,229 from $12,298, which may result in tax savings of up to $140 in 2020.

Changes to the Divorce Act
The majority of changes will be effective July 1, 2020. The changes include updated criteria to determine a child’s best interests in custody cases and measures to address family violence when making parenting arrangements.

Amendment to the Canada Business Act to include Diversity
Public corporations incorporated under this Act are required to report diversity of directors and senior management, which includes visible minorities.

Virtual Currency Dealers Must Register with the Federal Government: By June 1, 2020, they must meet the same client identification, record keeping, and reporting requirements as banks and credit unions.

Amendments to Comparison Countries Regarding Drug Pricing
By July 1, 2020, Canada will remove countries such as the United States and Switzerland for comparing and determining drug pricing and will add countries with similar populations such as Spain and Australia.

Ontario Wide

No more out of country health insurance
Those who become ill while travelling cannot claim the $400 a day maximum covering of emergency care or the $50 a day maximum for emergency outpatient services such as an MRI.

Restrictions on vaping products
Convenience stores and gas stations are banned from promoting vaping products.

Cancel Increase in Minimum Wage
By October 1, 2020, Ontario’s $14 minimum wage will be adjusted to the rate of inflation, but will not increase to the predetermined $15.

Dogs on Restaurant Patios
Restaurants and bars are permitted to allow dogs on patios where low-risk foods such as beer are served.

Phasing out the red and white health cards
As of July 1, 2020, the red and white health cards will be phased out. When photo ID cards were announced in 1994, it was estimated that $65 million in fraudulent health claims were made each year using red and white cards. Now, it is estimated that roughly 300,000 red and white health cards remain in circulation. If you are still in possession of a red and white health card, you should take the steps below:

1. Download, print and complete a Health Card Re-Registration Form and bring this to a ServiceOntario centre.
2. Bring your red and white health card and three separate documents – one from each of the following categories:
3. • proof of Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status, such as a Canadian passport, Canadian birth certificate or permanent resident document;
   • proof of residency in Ontario, such as a driver’s licence;
   • proof of identity, such as a credit card or utility bill.

Tanya Walker obtained her law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University in 2005 and her Honours Bachelor of Commerce with a minor in Economics from McMaster University in 2002. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2006. Tanya is currently serving a term as Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario; elected by her peers as not only the first Black elected female Bencher from Toronto, in the 220-year history of the Law Society, but also as one of the youngest sitting Benchers.

Tanya is a frequent speaker on legal issues to the Toronto Community and regularly appears on the CTV Show, Your Morning as a legal expert. She has also been named in the 2017 and 2018 Lexpert Guides as one of the Leading Lawyers to Watch in Corporate/Commercial Litigation and is also the recipient of the 2018 Women’s Business Enterprise of the Year Award.



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2020 is likely to bring in some new laws and amendments that could affect everything from internships to a crackdown on parking spots and a possible reversal on pit bull ownership in Ontario.

On October 23, 2019, the Ontario government confirmed that we would be seeing major changes to the Court rules coming this January 2020.