On March 6, 2012, the Ontario government introduced Bill 39, Education Amendment Act (Concussions), 2012, new legislation that would, if passed, amend Part XIII.1 of the Education Act, and empower the Minister of Education to set policies and guidelines respecting head injuries and concussions suffered by pupils. We highlight a few key proposed amendments below….
Business Operation: Ontario
Court Clarifies Evidence Required to Establish Prima Facie Case of Discrimination
For employers and service providers appearing before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“HRTO”), a recent decision of the Divisional Court involving racial profiling will be of interest. The decision, Peel Law Association v. Pieters, provides significant clarification on the evidence required to establish a prima facie case of discrimination. In this FTR Now we…
Bill 119 – What You Need To Know
Bill 119, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2008, makes insurance coverage mandatory for certain categories of persons operating in the construction industry (independent operators, sole proprietors, partners in partnerships and executive officers of a corporation). This FTR Now outlines these significant new changes and suggests the next steps individuals contracting with contractors and…
Ontario Introduces Education Act Amendments Relating to Concussions
On March 6, 2012, the Ontario government introduced Bill 39, Education Amendment Act (Concussions), 2012. If passed, the Bill would rename Part XIII.1 of the Education Act “Pupil Health,” and create new provisions for concussions. These provisions would authorize the Minister to make policies and guidelines relating to the following: the distribution of head injury…
Ontario Confirms Average Full-Day Kindergarten Class Size
On March 2, 2012, the Ontario government filed important new amendments to the class size regulation under the Education Act for full-day junior kindergarten and kindergarten classes. The amendments, which come into force on September 1, 2012, are intended to assist school boards which have kindergarten class size maxima in their teachers’ collective agreements that…
Ontario Confirms Full-Day Kindergarten Class Size at Average of 26
On March 2, 2012, the Ontario government filed amendments to O. Reg. 399/00 (Class Size) under the Education Act. O. Reg. 26/12 provides that effective September 1, 2012, the average size of junior kindergarten and kindergarten classes that a school board is required to operate under Ontario regulation 224/10 (Full Day Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten)…
Bill 28, Registered Human Resources Professional Act, 2011, referred to Committee
On March 1, 2012, Bill 28, Registered Human Resources Professional Act, 2011, was referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. Bill 28 is a private member’s bill which is co-sponsored by three Members of Provincial Parliament, one from each of the Liberal, PC and NDP parties. If passed, Bill 28 will repeal the Registered…
MOL Safety Blitz Targets High-Risk Construction Trades
The Ontario government has announced that effective March 1, 2012, Ministry of Labour inspectors are targeting high-risk construction trades in a month-long safety blitz intended to protect workers from preventable workplace injuries. Inspectors will visit construction projects employing workers in high-rise formwork, low-rise formwork and masonry, siding and built-up roofing work, and specifically check that:…
The Drummond Report – Impact on the Broader Public Sector
On February 15, 2012, the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services (the “Commission”) released its long-awaited, 543-page report (the “Report”, commonly referred to as the “Drummond Report”) which identifies sweeping reform measures aimed at increasing efficiencies within the broader public service (“BPS”). In our companion FTR Now, Drummond Commission Reports on Elementary and…
Drummond Commission Reports on Elementary and Secondary Education Reform
On February 15, 2012, the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services (the “Commission”) released its long-awaited, 543-page report (the “Report”, commonly referred to as the “Drummond Report”) which identifies sweeping reform measures aimed at increasing efficiencies within the broader public service. In our companion FTR Now, The Drummond Report – Impact on the…