LSO Barrister Public Law 2

Question 1

What is the Ontario 'Environmental Bill of Rights' (EBR) and what rights does it provide?

Accepted Answer

It provides Ontarians with the right to participate in environmental decision-making through the Environmental Registry, the right to request investigations and reviews, and whistleblower protections for employees who report environmental violations

Answer

It prohibits all industrial activity in Ontario

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It only applies to federal environmental matters

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It guarantees a constitutional right to a clean environment

Question 2

What is the 'Statutory Powers Procedure Act' (SPPA) and how does it affect Ontario tribunals?

Accepted Answer

It sets minimum procedural requirements for Ontario tribunals exercising statutory powers of decision, including rules about hearings, evidence, notice, disclosure, and the right to counsel, while allowing tribunals to adopt additional procedures

Answer

It creates the power for tribunals to impose criminal penalties

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It only applies to the Ontario Labour Relations Board

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It replaces all tribunal-specific legislation

Question 3

How does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms apply to Ontario provincial legislation?

Accepted Answer

The Charter applies to all Ontario provincial legislation and government action, and any law inconsistent with the Charter is of no force or effect unless saved by section 1 (demonstrably justified limits) or section 33 (notwithstanding clause)

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The Charter does not apply to provincial legislation

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The Charter only applies to criminal law

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The Charter only applies to federal legislation

Question 4

What is the role of the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC)?

Accepted Answer

An independent officer overseeing compliance with FIPPA, MFIPPA, and PHIPA, resolving access to information appeals, investigating privacy breaches, and issuing binding orders on access and privacy matters

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The IPC is a law enforcement agency

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The IPC only advises the government on privacy policy

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The IPC's jurisdiction is limited to health information

Question 5

What is the doctrine of 'Crown immunity' and how has it been modified in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Historically, the Crown was immune from suit, but the Ontario Proceedings Against the Crown Act allows civil proceedings against the Crown in most circumstances, with certain exceptions including core policy decisions

Answer

The Crown can never be sued in Ontario

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Crown immunity has been completely abolished in Ontario

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Crown immunity only protects the Lieutenant Governor

Question 6

What is the purpose and scope of Ontario's 'Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act' (AODA)?

Accepted Answer

It aims to achieve a fully accessible Ontario by 2025 through mandatory accessibility standards in five areas: customer service, information and communications, employment, transportation, and design of public spaces

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It only requires wheelchair ramps in government buildings

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It only applies to the provincial government

Answer

It is a voluntary guideline with no enforcement mechanism