Access to Justice
The McGuinty government is achieving results in improving access to justice in Ontario. The government is working on a number of fronts to provide greater openness, transparency and accountability. Key legislation has been passed, including the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which will modernize and strengthen Ontario's human rights system, the Independent Police Review Act, 2006, which creates an independent civilian body to handle public complaints about police in Ontario, and the Access to Justice Act, 2006, which regulates paralegals, reforms the Justice of the Peace system and amends the Provincial Offences Act.
Since October 2003, the McGuinty government has increased funding to Legal Aid Ontario every year since it took office, something no other government has done in 13 years. The 2007 budget included $51 million in new funding for Legal Aid Ontario over three years, including $15 million in 2007–08.
Civil Justice Reform Project
- January 15, 2008: Attorney General Seeks Civil Justice Input
- November 22, 2007: McGuinty Government Releases Summary Of Civil Justice Reform Report
Access to Justice Act, 2006
- View the Bill
- October 19, 2006: McGuinty Government Improves Access to the Justice System
Human Rights
- Bill 107, Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006
- December 5, 2006: Ontario Passes Human Rights Code Amendment Act
- Human Rights Reform
Independent Police Review Act, 2007
- May 15, 2007: McGuinty Government Creates New Police Review System
New Law Commission
- November 30, 2006: Attorney General Establishes New Law Commission of Ontario
Legal Aid
- December 12, 2007: Attorney General Announces Criminal Defence Funding Protocol
- November 5, 2007: Attorney General Takes Action To Improve Access To Justice
- July 19, 2007: McGuinty Government Improves Legal Aid Services For Vulnerable Ontarians
- July 18, 2007: McGuinty Government Increases Legal Aid Tariff Rate
- April 13, 2007: Increased Legal Aid Funding: McGuinty Government Improves Access to Justice
- January 17, 2005: Improved Access To Justice For Low-Income Ontarians