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…
Practice Area: Employment Law
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…
Ontario’s New Retirement Homes Act Passes Second Reading, Referred to Committee
On April 22, 2010, Bill 21, the New Retirement Homes Act, 2010 carried at Second Reading and was Ordered referred to the Standing Committee on social policy. Bill 21 was introduced on March 30, 2010. If passed, it will provide legislative protection for seniors living in retirement homes. Retirement homes are defined in the Act…
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…
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…
School Board Update – Bill 242, The Full Day Early Learning Statute Law Amendment Act: The Legal Framework for the Early Learning Program
In our January 12, 2010 School Board Client Update, we discussed the Early Learning Program (ELP), which is the governments plan to implement full day early learning for four- and five-year-olds in Ontario. On February 17, 2010, the government introduced Bill 242, the Full-Day Early Learning Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010, which amends provisions of…
New Background Check Policies Squeezing Employers
Late last year, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (“RCMP”) issued a directive to agencies that facilitate national criminal background checks. The directive outlines significant changes to the process governing the dissemination of criminal record information, and the process by which such agencies may conduct name-based criminal record verifications. In this FTR Now, we discuss these…
School Board Update – Ontario’s 2010 Early Learning Program: Bracing for the Fallout
When was the last time your Board was involved in the legal “ins and outs” of a hotly contested certification drive before the Ontario Labour Relations Board? Ontario’s newly announced Early Learning Program could well provide you with an opportunity in the coming year. In this School Board Update, we discuss the ramifications and new…
Impending Changes to Governance under Education Act
On November 17, 2009, Bill 177, the Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act, 2009, was reported as amended by the Standing Committee and was ordered for Third Reading. Debate on a Bill is limited at Third Reading and no amendments to its text may be moved at this stage. Therefore, it is likely that…
Alcohol and the Office Party
With the holiday season approaching, employers are once again planning their holiday festivities. Whether the festivity is large or small, it remains as important as ever that employers take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees who attend office parties or other celebrations. Over the years, a number of court decisions…