On January 1, 2020, amendments to section 108 of the Courts
of Justice Act1 came into force to eliminate
trials by jury under Simplified Procedure.2 Further amendments
to Rule 76 of Ontario's Rules of Civil Procedure,
which governs actions brought under Simplified Procedure, have
provided litigants and the administration of justice with more
efficient means of adjudicating disputes. Commencing an action
under the ordinary procedure, as opposed to under Simplified
Procedure or in Small Claims Court, usually resulted in increased
costs to the litigants. However, as explained below, changes to the
rules regarding actions brought via Simplified Procedure highlight
Ontario's transition towards efficient, proportional and
affordable justice.