On August 27, 2012, the Ontario Legislative Assembly resumed, and the government introduced Bill 115, Putting Students First Act, 2012. The government has made a number of changes to the original draft of the Bill that was released on August 16, 2012, including a key change to the proposed regulation-making powers about the imposition of…
Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Introduces Bill 115, Putting Students First Act, 2012
On August 27, 2012, the Ontario Legislative Assembly resumed, and the government introduced Bill 115, Putting Students First Act, 2012. The government has made a number of changes to the original draft of the Bill that was first introduced on August 16, 2012. We are in the process of reviewing the proposed legislation. For background…
Fall 2012 Safety Blitzes Announced by Ontario Government
The Ontario government has announced the launch of four targeted safety blitzes at workplaces across the province this Fall. The planned blitzes will focus on: supervision at construction sites (September and October); machine guarding hazards and repetitive strain injuries in manufacturing and industrial workplaces (October and November); infection prevention and control in health care workplaces…
Putting Students First Act to be Introduced August 27, Legislature Recalled
The Ontario government announced that the Legislature has been recalled for August 27, 2012 to permit the introduction of the government’s Putting Students First Act Bill. As previously reported, the government first released a draft of the Putting Students First Act on August 16, 2012, legislation that would, if passed, impose a two-year freeze on…
Ministry of Finance Publishes New Income Tax Proposals For Public Commentary
On August 14, 2012, the Ministry of Finance published new legislative proposals relating to the Income Tax Act and Regulations for public commentary. The proposals, which are designed to implement a range of Budget-related initiatives announced by the federal government earlier this year, include measures that would, if adopted, include an employer’s contributions to a…
Ontario Releases Proposed Amendments to Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation
On August 15, 2012, the Ontario government published proposed amendments to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IAS) (Ontario Regulation 191/11) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 for public consultation. The amendments, once finalized, are expected to come into force the later of January 1, 2013, or the day they are filed. The…
Ontario To Introduce Wage Freeze Legislation for Teachers
On August 16, 2012, the Ontario government announced its intention to introduce the Putting Students First Act, legislation that would, if passed, impose a two-year freeze on teacher salaries and prohibit labour disruption, among other matters. Specifically, the Bill would require school boards and local bargaining units of teachers and support staff to accept local…
Pay Equity Guide Now Available
The Pay Equity Commission has published “A Guide to Interpreting Ontario’s Pay Equity Act” (August 2012). The Guide provides an overview of the interpretation by the Pay Equity Office of the minimum requirements of the Pay Equity Act, and is primarily intended to provide employers with guidance as to their obligations under that legislation.
Federal Government Publishes Pooled Registered Pension Plan Regulations
On August 10, 2012, the federal government published proposed regulations to support the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act (“PRPP Act”). The Pooled Registered Pension Plan Regulations provide supporting details for the provisions of the PRPP Act respecting: the licensing conditions for a Pooled Registered Pension Plan (“PRPP”) administrator; the management and investment of funds in…
Ontario Government Publishes Integrated Accessibility Standards Guide and Compliance Tool
The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services has published “A Guide to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation” dated July 2012. The Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAS) Regulation was made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. It came into force on July 1, 2011 and affects nearly all organizations in Ontario. The Guide…