Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Introduced

On March 3, 2011, the Ontario government introduced Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 (PDF). The proposed Bill 160 amendments, which are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety, would significantly amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”), by:…

Draft Pension Regulations (Asset Division on Marriage Breakdown) Posted for Public Comment

On March 3, 2011, the Ontario government posted draft regulations under Bill 133, the Family Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009, and a related Consultation Paper for public review and comment. Among other family law-related matters, Bill 133 amends the Pension Benefits Act and creates new rules governing both: (1) the valuation of pension assets by…

Pay Equity: The Implications of the Gender Wage Gap Program

The Ontario Pay Equity Office (PEO) recently launched its Gender Wage Gap Program. If you are an employer in the Ontario private or not-for-profit sectors, please continue reading this FTR Now, as the Program could have a significant impact on your organization. The Program is designed to measure the extent of gender wage gaps in…

Giving Accessibility the Green Light: Ontario Government Moves Forward With a Draft “Integrated Accessibility Standards” Regulation Under the AODA

The Ministry of Community and Social Services (the “Ministry”) has released for public comment the long-awaited draft Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation (the “Draft Regulation”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (the “AODA” or the “Act“). The 54-page Draft Regulation combines accessibility standards in three areas: information and communication, employment, and transportation. It…

Proposed AODA Integrated Accessibility Regulation Posted For Public Comment

On February 1, 2011, the Ontario government published its proposed Integrated Accessibility Regulation (“IAR”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) for final public review and commentary. This draft regulation reflects public input received on the initial draft Integrated Accessibility Standard summary of proposed regulatory requirements released in September 2010. Among the…

Community Care Access Corporations Act Regulation Filed

On February 1, 2011, the Ontario government filed further amendments to O. Reg. 554/06 (as previously amended by O. Reg. 251/09) under the Community Care Access Corporations Act, 2001.  O. Reg. 26/11 (Community Care Access Corporations) prescribes a new “charitable object” for the purposes of section 5 of the Act, adding supportive housing programs that…

New Retirement Homes Act, 2010 Regulations Proposed

On February 22, 2011, the Ontario government announced proposed regulations under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010. In part, the regulations would define “retirement home” for the purposes of the Act as a facility with a minimum of six qualifying residents, excluding the premises or parts of premises used to deliver certain programs for which there…

TTC “Essential Service” Legislation to be Introduced

On February 22, 2011, the Ontario government announced plans to introduce the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, legislation designating the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service. The legislation, if passed, would provide for binding arbitration by a neutral third party where a collective agreement cannot be reached through bargaining, effectively banning strikes…