New Legislation to Amend Employment Standards Act, 2000

On May 17, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 68, the Open For Business Act, 2010, omnibus legislation that would amend various acts, including the Employment Standards Act, 2000. If passed, these amendments would in part: allow the Director of Employment Standards to require claimants to provide specific information and let their employer know about…

Private Member’s Pension Bill Passes Second Reading, Referred to Committee

On May 13, 2010, Bill 54, the Retirement Savings Plans for Employees and Self-Employed Persons Act, 2010 was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Bill 54 is a Private Member’s Public Bill, first introduced on May 5, 2010. As outlined in our FAQ section, historically, very few Private Member Bills progress beyond the…

Healthcare Accountability Legislation Carries at Second Reading, Referred to Committee

On May 12, 2010, Bill 46, the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010 carried at Second Reading and was Ordered referred the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. As previously reported, the Act would, if passed, make health care providers and executives accountable for improving patient care and enhance the patient experience. Although aimed at the…

New Federal Pension Regulation Amendments Proposed

On May, 8, 2010, the Federal government published proposed amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985. The proposed amendments would: amend the funding rules to adopt a new standard for establishing minimum funding requirements on a solvency basis using average (rather than current) solvency ratios to determine minimum funding requirements; introduce a solvency margin…

Ontario’s Wage Freeze Legislation Ordered for Third Reading

On May 6, 2010, the Creating the Foundation for Jobs and Growth Act, 2010 (Bill 16) was reported as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Originally introduced on March 26, 2010, the Bill is omnibus legislation amending various Acts to give effect to the initiatives outlined in its 2010 Budget. Of…

Mandatory Reporting of Internet Child Pornography by “Persons” Providing an Internet Service

On May 6, 2010, the Federal government introduced Bill C-22, the Protecting Children From Online Sexual Exploitation Act, legislation that would impose mandatory duty on “persons” (defined to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, unincorporated associations or organizations) providing an “internet service” (internet access, e-mail or internet content hosting) to report child pornography in specific cases. This…

Ontario Introduces New Healthcare Accountability Legislation for Hospitals

On May 3, 2010, the Ontario government introduced Bill 46, the Excellent Care for All Act, 2010 (the “Act”). The Act would, if passed, make healthcare providers and executives accountable for improving patient care and enhancing the patient experience. Although aimed at the hospital sector specifically, the government has indicated that following an assessment of…

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.