Ontario stay-at-home order and the courts

The AJC continues to put your health, safety and well-being at the core of all that we do, especially now that we are in the midst of a worsening second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As further restrictions are imposed to help reduce the burden on our healthcare system and lower the impact on vulnerable members of our community, we urge all our members to comply with government orders and public health authorities’ guidelines.  

As we have from the onset, we continue to strongly advocate for remote working and virtual court proceedings where and when possible. The AJC has co-signed a letter with other associations representing judicial officers and employees working in Ontario’s courthouses urging the provincial government to halt all in-person proceedings barring exceptional circumstances.

We have received confirmation from both Chief Justice Lise Maisonneuve of the Ontario Court of Justice and Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz of the Superior Court of Justice that proceedings should be held virtually unless it is absolutely necessary. As well, jury trials will be suspended across the province until May 3rd 2021. We also urge all Federal Courts to impose the same restrictions.