“Publicly Funded Organization” Exclusions Designated Under BPS Act

On June 7, 2011, the Ontario government filed a regulation under the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010, expressly designating (1) district social services administration boards established under the District Social Services Administration Boards Act, and (2) “First Nations” as defined in the Indian Act as excluded “Publicly Funded Organizations” for the purposes of the…

Pension Agreements With “Designated Jurisdictions,” Aggregate Funding of AbiBow Pension Plan Regulations Filed

On June 3, 2011, the Ontario government filed two regulations under the Pension Benefits Act. O. Reg. 195/11 amends General Regulation 909 by creating a new section, “Designated Jurisdictions and Agreements with Designated Jurisdictions”, and a Table listing multi-jurisdictional agreements entered into under section 100 of the Act, and the date on which the agreement…

AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Now Posted

As previously reported, the Ontario government announced the release of the final version of the Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) on June 3, 2011. O. Reg. 191/11, which will come into force on July 1, 2011, has now been posted on the e-laws website. More information…

Federal 2011 Budget (Post-Election) Introduced

On June 6, 2011, the federal government re-introduced “Budget 2011, the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan—A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth” (PDF). As anticipated, the Budget includes all of the measures previously introduced by the government in March of 2011, which are outlined in our FTR Now of March 24, 2011, “Federal…

BPS Accountability “Perquisites” Provisions To Come Into Force

August 2, 2011 has been named as the date sections 11.1 and 11.2 of the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010 will come into force. These amendments are contained in Schedule 4 of the Better Tomorrow for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2011. Section 11.1 pertains to the issuance of perquisite directives by the Management Board…

AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Released

On June 3, 2011, the Ontario government announced the release of the final version of the Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation (the “final regulation”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”). The final regulation appears to follow the draft Integrated Accessibility Standards regulation (“draft regulation”), which was published in February of 2011 for…

Ontario Government Prorogues Until After Fall 2011 Election

On June 1, 2011, the Ontario government prorogued, thus ending the session until after the Fall 2011 election, which is scheduled for October 6. As a result, all outstanding business before the House, including all government and Private Members’ Bills, expired on the Order Paper.

Bill 160 OHSA Amendments Receive Royal Assent

On June 1, 2011, Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, received Royal Assent. As previously reported, the Bill 160 amendments are intended to respond to the recommendations provided by the Expert Panel on Occupational Health and Safety and significantly amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Bill should…

House of Commons Resumes Sitting

On June 2, 2011, the 41st Parliament commencement its first session. The government is expected to re-introduce its 2011 pre-election Budget, on June 6, 2011.

Perquisites Directive Issued by Ontario Government Now in Effect

INTRODUCTION Management Board of Cabinet (“MBC”) has issued a “Perquisites Directive” effective June 1, 2011 (“OPS Directive”) establishing rules regarding the provision of perquisites and an accountability framework for decision-makers. The OPS Directive will apply to certain public service employees and appointees of, for example, all ministries of the Ontario Government. It will not apply…