II. Participating in the Law Reform Process: The LCO’s Public Consultations

The law of legal capacity, decision-making and guardianship directly affects a large and growing number of Ontarians. Most Ontarians will at some point encounter this area of the law, whether in a professional role or through their own illness or disability, that of a loved one. The impact of these laws on the rights and basic quality of life of those directly affected, and on the lives of their families and friends, is profound. For law reform to be effective, it is important to hear from those affected, to understand both how the law currently works in practice and how it can be improved to be more meaningful, accessible, just and effective.

This comprehensive Discussion Paper is accompanied by a simplified Summary of Consultation Issues, which briefly outlines the key issues identified by the LCO through its research and preliminary consultations and lists the consultation questions.

The LCO will be conducting public consultations on the issues raised in this document from June 25, 2014 until Friday, October 17, 2014. There are a number of ways in which you can participate in this consultation.
You can mail, fax or e-mail your comments to:

Law Commission of Ontario
Public Consultation: Legal Capacity, Decision-making and Guardianship
2032 Ignat Kaneff Building, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3

Fax: (416) 650-8418
E-mail: LawCommission@lco-cdo.org

You may also use the LCO website comments form at www.lco-cdo.org.

Submissions must be received by October 17, 2014.

The LCO has developed two consultation questionnaires: one for persons directly affected by laws related to legal capacity, decision-making and guardianship, and one for families, friends, supporters and substitute decision-makers. These are available online at www.lco-cdo.org, or you may request other formats by telephone or email.  You may respond to the questionnaires by mail, online, or by telephone. To respond to by telephone, please call us at:

Toronto : (416) 650-8406
Toll-free : 1 (866) 950-8406
TTY :    (416) 650-8082

LCO staff would also be pleased to meet to discuss the issues raised in this discussion paper, by telephone or in person. If you wish to set up a consultation meeting with the LCO, you may contact us to discuss possible arrangements. Meetings can take place in person, by conference call or via other interactive technologies.  If you have questions regarding this consultation, please call (416) 650-8406 or e-mail us at lawcommission@lco-cdo.org.

Based on the results of our consultation phase and the LCO’s ongoing research, the LCO will prepare an Interim Report containing draft analysis and recommendations, which is anticipated to be released in Spring 2015.