The BAO is experiencing difficulties from the Microsoft outage

Like thousands of Canadians and people worldwide, the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) is experiencing problems accessing and using its email system and some other Microsoft products.

Many BAO staff members are currently not be able to reply to emails from the public and licensed professionals.

Microsoft has stated that it is investigating reports of users experiencing issues with Microsoft 365 services, mostly Microsoft Outlook (Exchange Online), along with Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Copilot, OneDrive, SharePoint, and wider Microsoft 365 enterprise tools.

Justin A. Brown, CEO and Registrar, BAO, says, “We will resume answering emails promptly from the public and licensed professionals in the death services sector once Microsoft restores the functionality of its Outlook email system and other platforms. Bear with us please. We thank you for your understanding on this issue.”

You may call the BAO during its regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 647-483-2645.

The BAO will report on its ability to reply to emails and any other related matters in this space.

About the BAO

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) is a government delegated authority and not-for-profit corporation administering provisions of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA). Accountable to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement and the government, the BAO is responsible for the protection of the public interest. The BAO regulates, ensures compliance with the law, provides resources and services to licensed:

• Funeral establishment operators, directors and preplanners;
• Cemetery, crematorium and alternative disposition operators;
• Transfer service operators; and
• Bereavement sector sales representatives across Ontario.

The BAO is wholly funded by licensee fees (not tax dollars).