Ontario's Electronic "E-laws" - Bill Proposes Amendments to Evidence Act

Electronic statutes and regulations may soon be coming to an Ontario courtroom near you. Bill 179 2002, an Act to promote government efficiency and to improve services to taxpayers by amending or repealing certain Acts and by enacting one new Act, was recently given first reading in the Ontario legislature. The Bill proposes amendments to the Evidence Act which would allow copies of statutes and regulations printed from the Ontario Government "E-Laws" website to be received into evidence as an accurate statement of the law. This amendment would signal the end of the requirement to use only the official printed version of Ontario statutes and regulations for evidentiary purposes. The website, provided by the Government of Ontario, offers consolidated copies of most of the current legislation in Ontario. To view Bill 179 2002, visit: http://www.ontla.on.ca/documents/Bills/37_Parliament/Session3/b179_e.htm To view the "E-Laws" website, visit: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/