Located in East-Central Canada, Ontario is the largest of the 13-Canadian provinces/territories by population, accounting for nearly 40% of the country’s entire population. It is also the second largest by area (fourth largest including Northwestern Territories and Nunavut). Ontario is home to the nation’s capital, Ottawa, as well as Toronto, the most populous Canadian city and the capital of Ontario. The province is named after Lake Ontario.

Ontario is Canada’s leading manufacturing province, with the state of Michigan being its largest trade partner. Power generation and hydroelectric energy are developed on Ontario’s rivers. Nearly 51% of energy in the province is nuclear, 39% hydroelectric, and the remaining 10% derived from fossil fuels. Ontario’s economy is also strongly driven by natural resources, transportation, and imports including chemical, automotive, electrical, machinery, and paper. Ontario’s steel industry, and financial services sector, in Toronto, contribute to the economic prowess as well.

Tourism is a major industry in Ontario. Large casinos, Niagara Falls, and national parks including Georgian Bay, Point Pelee National Park, and Bruce Peninsula National Park, are often visited during the summer months. Major cities like Toronto are also hubs for tourists year-round in the province. Ottawa, the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Lake Ontario, Horseshoe Falls, CN Tower, and Lake Erie, are among the leading tourist attractions and destinations in the province of Ontario.

Ontario, Canada Legal System & Government

The government of Ontario, Canada has structures and powers set out in the Constitution Act of 1867. The government includes a the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and a cabinet chosen from the Assembly, as well as a non-political civil service staff within government agencies and departments, and this staff manages and delivers government policies, programs and services.

The Court system in Ontario is broken into two sections: The Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice.  The Superior court handles the more serious offenses and crimes, as well as challenges to the Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Ontario Court of Justice hears less serious criminal cases, preliminary hearings and violations of provincial laws.

Labor and employment laws, energy, electric, biofuel production, natural resources, and legislation like the accessibility laws, are among the stories and news covered by the National Law Review. Visitors will always find the latest coverage and legal news related to the province of Ontario, and its relation with the rest of Canada, the US, and international relationships around the world.