Jones favours use of electronic signatures on real estate transactions

March 27, 2013 · 0 Comments

Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones has voiced her support for Bill 28, aimed at amending the Electronic Commerce Act, 2000.
She last week voted in favour of passing the bill through second reading.
“Ontario is one of only two provinces in Canada that does not allow for the use of electronic signatures on real estate transactions,” Jones said. “Allowing electronic signatures on real estate transactions and land transfers will reduce red tape for Dufferin-Caledon’s real estate industry, and help small businesses.”
If passed, Bill 28 would allow the usage of electronic signatures on real estate transactions and land transfers. This is something that is already permitted in 30 European countries, as well as almost all Canadian provinces. When the Electronic Commerce Act was originally passed in 2000, there were concerns about the security of electronic signatures. Since then, however, technology has improved exponentially. Jones asserted that this was the central reason to move Bill 28 to the committee stage.
“The reality is that in today’s world, people can do their banking online while riding the bus, or pay their bills with their smartphone on their lunch break,” Jones concluded. “So it only makes sense that the use of electronic signatures is worthy of consideration.”