Lucille Collard exposes concerns on the impact of justice reform Bill 161 on vulnerable Ontarians
Forimmediate release
June 25,2020, QUEEN’S PARK – During yesterday’s debate on Bill 161, Smarter andStronger Justice Act, 2020, MPP Lucille Collard, raised concerns overproposed changes to class action proceedings, the structure of our legal aidsystem, and government accountability.
“In manyrespects, this Bill addresses some overdue changes to the Province’s justicesystem. However, it also contains deeply concerning changes,” said Collard. “It creates obstacles to access justice, whereour vulnerable Ontarians will be the most impacted.”
This wasnot the first time that MPP Collard, the Liberal critic for the Attorney Generaland a member of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy raised her concerns.On June 17, she proposed 23 amendments to the committee. They were allrejected.
Amendmentsincluded things like:
- Protecting theability of Ontarians to bring class actions against government and largecorporations when they are injured by systemic injustices and bad practices.
- Removing theonerous barriers to initiating a proceeding against the government when they harmOntarians.
- Amending the Legal Aid Services Act, 2019 to ensure thatOntarians across the province may accessequally high-quality legal aid services in either official language.
“I amworried that Bill 161 will leave Ontario with a justice system which does notlive up to modern standards,” added Collard.
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Quick fact:
- The proposedLegal Aid Services Act will reduce the ability of the 73 community legalclinics in Ontario to provide legal aid services which best address the uniquelegal needs of their communities.
- During thecommittee public consultation, 45 Stakeholders provided Oral Submissions and174 made written submission.
- All 45oral submissions and 173 written submissions were opposed to Bill 161 as itstands.
- Thechanges offered to the Class Proceedings Act in Bill 161 will additionallylimit Ontarians’ ability to access justice and seek redress through classaction proceeding for serious and systemic injustices. This can may haveserious repercussions for the Long-Term Care home residents hoping to seekjustice.
For moreinformation:
Liam Roche
SpecialAssistant, Communications
613-981-5426
lroche@liberal.ola.org