On May 18, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, passed at Third Reading, as amended by the Standing Committee on Social Policy. It is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly. As previously reported, the proposed Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the…
Industry: Government Ministries & Agencies (Federal and Provincial)
Ontario 2011 Budget Bill Receives Royal Assent
On May 12, 2011, Bill 173, the Better Ontario for Tomorrow Act (Budget Measures), 2011 received Royal Assent. As previously reported, Bill 173 is omnibus legislation amending a variety of statutes to implement certain initiatives outlined in the 2011 Ontario Budget tabled on March 23, 2011. The Bill should be consulted for coming into force…
Ontario 2011 Budget Bill Passes Third Reading as Amended
On May 10, 2011, Bill 173, the Better Tomorrow for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2011, carried at Third Reading after being reported as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. It is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly. The Committee amendments to Bill 173 with respect to the Pension Benefits Act relate…
Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Ordered for Third Reading
On May 4, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, was reported with amendments by the Standing Committee on Social Policy and ordered for Third Reading. As previously reported, the proposed Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health…
Ontario 2011 Budget Bill Ordered for Third Reading
On May 5, 2011, Bill 173, the Better Tomorrow for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2011, was reported as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. As previously reported, Bill 173 is omnibus legislation amending a variety of statutes to implement certain initiatives outlined in the 2011 Ontario Budget tabled on March 23,…
The Fraser Decision: The Supreme Court of Canada Revisits Scope of Charter-Protected Collective Bargaining Rights
On April 29, 2011, the Supreme Court of Canada issued its long-awaited judgement in the case of Ontario (Attorney General) v. Fraser, 2011 SCC 20 (“Fraser“). In a decision that has surprised many, the Court found, by an 8-1 margin, that the Agricultural Employees’ Protection Act, 2002 (“AEPA“) is constitutional. Moreover, while the majority of…
Supreme Court of Canada Considers Scope of Collective Bargaining Rights
The Supreme Court of Canada has today issued its long-awaited judgment in Ontario (Attorney General) v. Fraser, 2011 SCC 20. By an 8-1 margin, the Court has found that the Agricultural Employees’ Protection Act, 2002 (AEPA) is constitutional. The case has its genesis in a challenge by Ontario farm workers to their exclusion from the…
Ontario Announces Safety Blitz Focusing On Young Workers
On April 27, 2011, the Ontario government announced that it will launch a safety blitz on May 1 intended to protect young workers by ensuring that employers are complying with regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In part, the initiative will focus on whether young workers are: being instructed, trained and supervised on…
Bill C-9 Pension Reforms Come Into Force
Effective April 1, 2011 and July 1, 2011, certain sections of the federal Jobs and Economic Growth Act (Bill C-9) and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (“PBSA”) come into force. As previously reported, amendments to the PBSA which were brought into force effective April 1, 2011 include provisions: permitting plan sponsors to secure letters…
PSLRTA Consultations Relating to Proposed Amalgamation of CASs Initiated by Ontario
On April 14, 2011, the Ontario Ministry of Labour announced public consultations relating to the proposed amalgamation of 13 Childrens’ Aid Societies (“CASs”). The initiative was proposed by the Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare (the “Commission”), which the Ontario government established in 2009. In part, the Commission is tasked with supporting the financial sustainability…