Important: Many claims have their own specific limitation period that overrides the general 2-year rule — municipal claims, certain contract and insurance claims, and others. Some claims (including specified sexual assault and misconduct claims) have no limitation period at all. This tool applies only the general rule. If your claim type is unusual, treat the earlier of the two dates below as provisional and confirm immediately.
This is usually the date of the injury or loss itself, but can be later if the cause wasn't yet reasonably knowable.
Often the same date as above — enter it separately if the act/omission happened earlier than discovery.
How Ontario's limitation rules work
Under the Limitations Act, 2002, the basic limitation period for most civil claims is 2 years from the day the claim was "discovered" — generally, the day you knew or ought reasonably to have known that the loss occurred, that it was caused by an act or omission of the person you'd sue, and that a proceeding would be an appropriate remedy. Section 15 of the Act adds an ultimate limitation of 15 years from the act or omission itself, which applies even if the claim wasn't discovered until later — with narrow exceptions, including for minors and certain incapacities.
Many claims fall outside the general rule entirely — municipal notice requirements, certain contract and insurance limitation clauses, and claims the Act specifically exempts from any limitation period. Treating the 2-year/15-year framework as universal is one of the most common ways a valid claim is lost.
Questions people ask
The basic limitation period under the Limitations Act, 2002 is 2 years from discoverability, but many claim types carry their own specific period or exceptions — including some claims with no limitation period at all. Always confirm the specific rule for your claim type.
Section 15 of the Act creates an outer limit of 15 years from the act or omission, regardless of when the claim was discovered, subject to limited exceptions (such as minors and certain incapacity situations).
Generally, the date you knew or ought reasonably to have known that injury, loss or damage occurred, that it was caused by an act or omission of a specific person, and that a proceeding would be an appropriate remedy.
Official sources
Rules and government guidance may change. Review the current source and obtain advice for a live matter.
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