True or False: A defendant can object to the simplified procedure if the claim is for $200,000 or less.

The statement is false because, under the simplified procedure in Ontario, a defendant does not have the ability to unilaterally object to the use of the simplified procedure solely based on the claim amount being $200,000 or less. The simplified procedure is intended to streamline cases that fall within a certain monetary limit, specifically designed for claims that are $200,000 or less.

The court encourages the use of the simplified procedure for these claims to promote efficiency and reduce costs associated with litigation. While there are specific circumstances under which a party might seek to argue against the application of the simplified procedure, mere objection based on the claim's value does not suffice on its own. This is rooted in the premise that the simplified procedure is a legislatively established framework aimed at facilitating access to justice for lower-value claims, reflecting a broader policy consideration rather than allowing parties to simply opt out of it at their discretion.