On June 26, 2020, Bill 24 received Royal Assent and came into force. The Bill retroactively amends the Personal Directives Act, the Powers of Attorney Act and the Wills and Succession Act. The changes are in effect from May 15, 2020. The legislation permits remote witnessing and execution of estate planning documents, when legal services are provided by a lawyer and all parties are able to communicate in real time by video conference. The amendments also permit estate planning documents to be signed in counterpart. Pursuant to regulation, these amendments are in force until August 2022.

The Bill also addresses the Guarantees Acknowledgement Act. It extends lawyers’ ability to continue to complete guarantee acknowledgement forms by video conference, and in counterpart. The effect of these amendments is retroactive to May 8, 2020, and by regulation are in effect until August 2022.

Click here to review the Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act.