Public Hospital Management Regulation Amended

On May 3, 2010, the Ontario government filed amendments to the Hospital Management Regulation under the Public Hospitals Act. The amendments to Reg. 965 relate to board member voting rights, and the establishment of systems for the disclosure of critical incidents, and will come into force on July 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011.

Ontario Introduces New Healthcare Accountability Legislation for Hospitals

Furthering an initiative outlined in its 2010 Budget, on Monday May 3, 2010, the Ontario government introduced new legislation outlining new standards of accountability for hospitals. If passed, Bill 46, the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010 would: increase the accountability of healthcare providers and executives for patient care by implementing a range of specific…

School Board Update – Bill 242 Carried at Third Reading

On April 27, 2010, Bill 242 (the legislation associated with the Government’s Early Learning Program, or “ELP”) carried at Third Reading. It is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly, and will come into force on a date to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor. Bill 242 was considered by the Standing Committee on…

Local Health System Integration Act Regulation Filed (Health Professional Advisory Committees)

On April 12, 2010, the government filed O. Reg. 136/10, an amendment to Regulation 264/07 (Health Professionals Advisory Committees) setting out requirements for long-term care home licensees (defined to mean a health service provider that is a licensee within the meaning of the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, to submit a mandatory “reconciliation report” to…

WSIB Changes Its Practice on the Payment of Loss of Earnings Benefits

Effective December 7, 2009, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) changed its operational practice of paying loss of earnings (“LOE”) benefits even when a worker is no longer in the workforce and has no loss of earnings. This change in practice followed a series of successful employer challenges argued by Hicks Morley lawyers…

Federal Budget Bill Carries at Second Reading, Sent to Committee

On April 19, 2010, Bill C-9, the Jobs And Economic Growth Act, carried at Second Reading and was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduced on March 29, 2010, Bill C-9 is omnibus legislation designed to amend various Acts and implement certain key measures outlined in the federal government’s 2010 Budget. In part, the Bill outlines…

Ontario Court Limits Number of Picketers

In a decision released March 24, 2010, the Ontario Superior Court imposed significant restrictions on picketing activities taking place at Vale’s Sudbury premises. Three valuable points emerge from this decision. First, the Court has sent a clear message that it will not tolerate flouting of the law, which in this case was four prior court…

Federal Pension Reform Proceeds

Bill C-9, the Jobs and Economic Growth Act, was introduced in the House of Commons on March 29, 2010 as an omnibus bill which proposes to implement many of the significant pension reform initiatives announced by the Minister of Finance on October 27, 2009, certain measures announced in the March 4th federal Budget, as well…