The Ontario government has proclaimed that effective April 1, 2012, certain amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “Act”) outlined in Bill 160, the Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, will come into force. These include: amendments to s. 50 of the Act that allow an inspector to refer a…
Publication Name: Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Introduces Education Act Amendments Relating to Concussions
On March 6, 2012, the Ontario government introduced Bill 39, Education Amendment Act (Concussions), 2012. If passed, the Bill would rename Part XIII.1 of the Education Act “Pupil Health,” and create new provisions for concussions. These provisions would authorize the Minister to make policies and guidelines relating to the following: the distribution of head injury…
Ontario Confirms Full-Day Kindergarten Class Size at Average of 26
On March 2, 2012, the Ontario government filed amendments to O. Reg. 399/00 (Class Size) under the Education Act. O. Reg. 26/12 provides that effective September 1, 2012, the average size of junior kindergarten and kindergarten classes that a school board is required to operate under Ontario regulation 224/10 (Full Day Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten)…
Bill 28, Registered Human Resources Professional Act, 2011, referred to Committee
On March 1, 2012, Bill 28, Registered Human Resources Professional Act, 2011, was referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. Bill 28 is a private member’s bill which is co-sponsored by three Members of Provincial Parliament, one from each of the Liberal, PC and NDP parties. If passed, Bill 28 will repeal the Registered…
MOL Safety Blitz Targets High-Risk Construction Trades
The Ontario government has announced that effective March 1, 2012, Ministry of Labour inspectors are targeting high-risk construction trades in a month-long safety blitz intended to protect workers from preventable workplace injuries. Inspectors will visit construction projects employing workers in high-rise formwork, low-rise formwork and masonry, siding and built-up roofing work, and specifically check that:…
Ontario Legislative Assembly Resumes Sitting
On February 21, 2012, the House resumed sitting.
BPS Solvency Funding Relief Regulation Amended
On February 17, 2012, the Ontario government filed an amendment to O. Reg. 178/11 (Solvency Funding Relief For Certain Public Sector Pension Plans) under the Pension Benefits Act. O. Reg. 12/12 prescribes those plans that have successfully applied for and, are receiving, solvency funding relief under O. Reg. 178/11. The Regulation is now in force….
Drummond Commission Reports on Public Service Reform
On February 15, 2012, the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services (“Commission”) chaired by Don Drummond released its long-awaited report (“Drummond Report”) identifying wide-ranging reform measures aimed at increasing efficiencies within the broader public service. In June of 2011, the Ontario government tasked the Commission with the examination of its service delivery models,…
Federal Pooled Registered Pension Plan (“PRPP”) Legislation Referred to Committee
On February 1, 2012, Bill C-25, An Act relating to pooled registered pension plans and making related amendments to other Acts passed at Second Reading in the House of Commons, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance. As previously reported, Bill C-25 is new legislation implementing the framework for federally regulated PRPPs, and…
Ontario Human Rights Code Independent Review: Consultation Paper Published
As part of the independent, mandated review of the changes resulting from the enactment of amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) which came into effect June 30, 2008, a consultation paper has been published which identifies key issues and points for discussion for the public consultation process which will take place in…