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Legal Research Manual

This edition of Legal Research Manual builds on many previous editions. While the manual is designed principally for use with the first year legal research classes, upper year law students will also find it a useful reference.

Finding Ontario Regulations (Online Sources)

Online sources for Ontario regulations generally work the same way as those for federal regulations. Similarly, there are two main methods for searching: browsing through lists of act and regulation titles or performing a specific search.

Note: If you are looking for a regulation that is no longer in effect, you might have to use a "repealed regulation" database or a print source.

Example 1: Finding a Regulation by Act

Find the regulations on the collection of personal information under Ontario's Education Act.

e-Laws (Government of Ontario)

  • From the main page, under the "Browse" tab, click on the letter "E" (for Education).
  • Scroll to Education Act and click on the title.  This will open the full text of the Education Act.
  • At the top of the page, click on the tab that says "Regulations under this Act."
  • To review a particular regulation, click on that title.

WestlawNext Canada or Westlaw Edge Canada (law students)

  • Under "Browse," click on "Statutes and Regulations."
  • Click on "Ontario."
  • Click on "Ontario Regulations."
  • Scroll down to Education Act.
  • Click on the title of the act to display the associated regulations.

Lexis Advance Quicklaw Plus or Lexis Advance Quicklaw (law students)

  • In the "Explore Content" pod, under "Primary Law," click on "Legislation."
  • Under "Jurisdiction," click "Ontario."
  • Under "Regulations," click "Ontario Regulations"
  • Scroll to the Education Act.
  • Click on the arrow to the left of the act to display the entire list of associated regulations.

Example 2: Finding a Regulation by Citation

Locate the following regulation: O Reg 521/01.

e-Laws (Government of Ontario)

  • From the main page, click on the "Search" tab (located on the left side of the page).
  • Input the regulation number in the search box, using quotation marks around the number (i.e. "O Reg 521/01").
  • Enable the “Use exact search” option underneath the search box.
  • Select “Consolidated law”.
  • Limit your search by selecting the “Regulations” option in the “Results for:” drop-down menu.

WestlawNext Canada or Westlaw Edge Canada (law students)

  • Type O Reg 521/01 into the search box.

Lexis Advance Quicklaw Plus or Lexis Advance Quicklaw (law students)

  • Type O Reg 521/01 into the search box.