Legislation Tracking

Track the progress, and keep up-to-date and informed on legislative changes that might impact health and safety management planning at your workplace. Learn about emerging employer responsibilities and worker rights to ensure you are in compliance.

Safer School Buses Act, 2021
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
246
Title
Safer School Buses Act, 2021
Description
The Highway Traffic Act is amended to require school buses manufactured on or after January 1, 2005 to be equipped with four overhead amber signal-lights and four overhead red signal-lights. The amendments require drivers of those school buses to actuate the overhead amber signal-lights when beginning to slow down for the purpose of stopping to receive or discharge children or adults with developmental disabilities and to actuate the red signal-lights and school bus stop arm as soon as the bus is stopped. Consequential amendments are also made.
Legislation Affected
Highway Traffic Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2021-05-12
Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2021
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
238
Title
Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2021
Description
Amendments are made to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. New section 88.1 sets out a special rule for the calculation of certain premiums payable by employers for the 2021 calendar year.
Legislation Affected
Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2021-04-14
Front-line and Essential Service Worker Week Act, 2020
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
230
Title
Front-line and Essential Service Worker Week Act, 2020
Description
The Bill proclaims the third full week of March in each year as Front-line and Essential Service Worker Week.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2021-06-03
Occupational Safety and Health Day Act, 2019
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
152
Title
Occupational Safety and Health Day Act, 2019
Description
The Bill proclaims the first Tuesday in May in each year as Occupational Safety and Health Day.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2021-04-27
Protecting Vulnerable Persons in Supportive Living Accommodation Act, 2021
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
81
Title
Protecting Vulnerable Persons in Supportive Living Accommodation Act, 2021
Description
The Bill requires persons who operate a supportive living accommodation in specified circumstances to hold a licence issued by the Minister. It provides for a framework, to be supplemented by regulations, governing applications for and the issuance of licences, the obligations of persons who operate a supportive living accommodation under the authority of a licence, inspections, and complaints.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2021-12-09
Four-Day Work Week Act, 2021
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
70
Title
Four-Day Work Week Act, 2021
Description
The Bill enacts the Four-Day Work Week Act, 2021. The Act establishes the Four-Day Work Week Commission, which will develop recommendations on how to implement a pilot project designed to determine the effectiveness of a four-day work week in Ontario. No later than one year after receiving the report setting out these recommendations, the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development shall implement the pilot project, which will last one year. After this time, the Minister is required to prepare a report in consultation with the Commission that sets out recommendations regarding a four-day work week for Ontario workers.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2021-12-06
Speaking Out About Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment Act, 2021
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
68
Title
Speaking Out About Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment Act, 2021
Description
The Bill amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The provisions of the Act protecting workers against reprisals are amended to include protections against reprisals against workers who speak out about workplace violence and workplace harassment. The amendments provide that a reprisal is any measure taken against a worker that adversely affects the worker’s employment. Examples of reprisals are provided.
Legislation Affected
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2021-12-06
Making Northern Ontario Highways Safer Act, 2021
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
59
Title
Making Northern Ontario Highways Safer Act, 2021
Description
The Bill amends the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act in relation to standards for road maintenance in winter. New section 100 sets out a classification system for Ontario highways consisting of five classes of highways. The section classifies all 400 series highways, the QEW highway and highways 11 and 17 as Class 1 highways. The section also sets out the time within which snow must be removed from each class of highway after each snowfall. Class 1 highways have the strictest requirements for snow removal, requiring that the pavement be bare of snow within eight hours of the end of a snowfall.
Legislation Affected
Public Transportation, Highway Improvement Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2021-12-01
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users Act, 2021
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
54
Title
Protecting Vulnerable Road Users Act, 2021
Description
The Bill amends the Highway Traffic Act. It is about the legal consequences of a collision that seriously injures or kills a pedestrian, a cyclist, a mobility device user, a roadway worker, an emergency responder outside their motor vehicle or another individual listed in the Bill.
Here are some highlights:
The driver who caused the injury or death is guilty of an offence if they caused it by breaking one of the rules of the road listed in the Bill. The listed rules include rules about unlicensed drivers, driving while intoxicated, driving while using a cell phone, speeding, careless driving, disobeying signs or lights at intersections or pedestrian crossovers, proper signalling, sharing the road, safety near emergency vehicles, safely opening car doors, and other rules.
A driver convicted of the offence is subject to the consequences for breaking the rule, and to a mandatory probation order. The order will require the driver to take a driving instruction course and perform community service. The community service must include activity related to improving driving safety and public education on driving safety. Their driver’s licence will be suspended during the probation.
The driver must also attend the sentencing hearing. Victim impact statements may be presented during the sentencing hearing.
Legislation Affected
Highway Traffic Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2021-11-24
Support Workers Pay Act, 2021
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
48
Title
Support Workers Pay Act, 2021
Description
The Bill enacts the Support Workers Pay Act, 2021. The Act provides that the minimum pay for every support worker shall be the minimum pay for a support worker when including the temporary pandemic pay paid to support workers. The Act also provides that every entity that employs support workers shall provide travel payments per kilometre travelled between work sites. The Act also provides that the Minister of Long-Term Care shall develop programs to provide training, education and professional development for all support workers and long-term care staff that provide care, to recruit and retain the number of support workers required to deliver adequate and appropriate care, and to ensure support workers are paid while learning on the job and that they can receive full-time jobs at the end of their apprenticeship. The Act also establishes the Support Worker Wage Review Commission.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2021-11-15
Working for Workers Act, 2021
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
27
Title
Working for Workers Act, 2021
Description
• Require employers with 25 or more employees to have a written policy about employees disconnecting from their job at the end of the workday to help employees spend more time with their families.
• Ban the use of non-compete agreements that prevent people from exploring other work opportunities in order to make it easier for workers to advance in their careers.
• Help remove barriers, such as Canadian experience requirements, for internationally trained individuals to get licenced in a regulated profession and get access to jobs that match their qualifications and skills.
• Require recruiters and temporary help agencies to have a licence to operate in the province to help protect vulnerable employees from being exploited.
• Require business owners to allow delivery workers to use a company’s washroom if they are delivering or picking up items. This supports the delivery drivers, couriers and truck drivers who have kept our essential supplies and economy going throughout the pandemic.
• Allow surpluses in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s Insurance Fund to be distributed over certain levels to businesses, helping them cope with the impacts of COVID-19.
• Enable the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to work with entities, like the Canada Revenue Agency, to streamline remittances for businesses, enabling a way to give them an efficient one-stop-shop for submitting premiums and payroll deductions.
• Allow the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to collect information related to the agri-food workforce to ensure the government can enhance the coordination of services such as vaccination and testing, and respond to issues that may arise.
Legislation Affected
Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act (Live-in Caregivers and Others), 2009 Employment Standards Act, 2000 Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act, 2006 Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act Occupational Health and Safety Act Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2021-12-02
Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission Act, 2021
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
25
Title
Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission Act, 2021
Description
The Bill enacts the Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission Act, 2021. The Act establishes the Early Years and Child Care Worker Advisory Commission, which shall develop recommendations on how to support the early years and child care workforce and address staffing shortages, including through increased wages and improved working conditions. The Commission shall include its recommendations in an annual report made available to the public and sent to the Minister of Education. The Minister shall meet with the Commission to discuss its annual reports.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2021-10-21
10 Paid Sick Days for Ontario Workers Act, 2021
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
7
Title
10 Paid Sick Days for Ontario Workers Act, 2021
Description
The Bill makes the following amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000:
1. Sections 50, 50.0.1 and 50.0.2 of the Act, which provide for sick leave, family responsibility leave and bereavement leave, respectively, are repealed. Section 50 is re-enacted to provide for up to 10 paid days of personal emergency leave in the case of a personal illness, injury or medical emergency, the illness, injury or medical emergency of a specified family member or an urgent matter concerning a specified family member.
2. The Act is amended to require that the Minister implement an employer support program to provide resources and supports to assist employers in providing personal emergency leave as required by the new section 50.
3. Section 50.1 of the Act, which currently provides for three days of paid infectious disease emergency leave, is amended to increase this number to 10 days of paid leave.
Legislation Affected
Employment Standards Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2021-10-05
Paid Personal Emergency Leave Now Act, 2021
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
247
Title
Paid Personal Emergency Leave Now Act, 2021
Description
The Bill amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000 to require employers to provide personal emergency leave to their employees.
Legislation Affected
Employment Standards Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2021-02-17
Caregiver and Homeworker Protection Act, 2020
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
242
Title
Caregiver and Homeworker Protection Act, 2020
Description
The Bill enacts the Caregiver and Homeworker Protection Act, 2020. The Act provides that the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development shall establish and maintain a Caregiver and Homeworker Protection Registry. The Registry shall list the names of all employers to whom a notice of contravention has been issued under subsection 113 (1) of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 in relation to one or more caregivers or homeworkers unless the Ontario Labour Relations Board finds that the employer did not contravene the provision set out in the notice.
Legislation Affected
Employment Standards Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2020-12-08
Employment Standards Amendment Act (Sick Notes), 2020
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
200
Title
Employment Standards Amendment Act (Sick Notes), 2020
Description
The Bill amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000. It is about what evidence an employer can make an employee provide to show that they are entitled to sick leave. Employers retain the right to make an employee show evidence that they are entitled to sick leave, but are not permitted to require a certificate from a qualified health practitioner.
Legislation Affected
Employment Standards Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2020-10-21
Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
195
Title
Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020
Description
The Act continues orders made under sections 7.0.2 and 7.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act in relation to COVID-19. Continued orders will cease to apply after 30 days but can be extended by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for additional periods of up to 30 days.
Legislation Affected
Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2020-07-21
Education Statute Law Amendment Act (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), 2020
Second Reading - 40%
Bill #
172
Title
Education Statute Law Amendment Act (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), 2020
Description
The Bill requires boards of education to develop policies and guidelines with respect to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Teachers’ colleges and early childhood education programs shall be required to provide training with respect to FASD.
Legislation Affected
Education Act
Status
Second Reading
Date
2020-11-03
Stop Cyberbullying in Ontario Day Act, 2019
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
154
Title
Stop Cyberbullying in Ontario Day Act, 2019
Description
The Bill proclaims the third Friday of June in each year as Stop Cyberbullying in Ontario Day.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2020-09-24
Time to Care Act (Long-Term Care Homes Amendment, Minimum Standard of Daily Care), 2018
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
13
Title
Time to Care Act (Long-Term Care Homes Amendment, Minimum Standard of Daily Care), 2018
Description
The Bill amends the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 so that a long-term care home will have to provide its residents with at least four hours a day of nursing and personal support services, averaged across the residents. The minimum hours may be increased by regulation.
Legislation Affected
Long-Term Care Homes Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2020-10-29
Compassionate Care Act, 2018
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
3
Title
Compassionate Care Act, 2018
Description
The Bill enacts the Compassionate Care Act, 2018. The Act requires the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to develop a provincial framework designed to support improved access to hospice palliative care. The Minister must table a report setting out the provincial framework in the Legislative Assembly within one year after the Bill comes into force. Within five years after the report is tabled, the Minister must prepare and table a report on the state of hospice palliative care in Ontario. Each report must be published on a Government of Ontario website.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2020-12-02
COVID-19 Response and Reforms to Modernize Ontario Act, 2020
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
190
Title
COVID-19 Response and Reforms to Modernize Ontario Act, 2020
Description
An Act to enact one Act and amend various Acts in respect of COVID-19 and to make other amendments.
Legislation Affected
Business Corporations Act, Business Names Act Commissioners for taking Affidavits Act, Condominium Act, Co-operative Corporations Act, Corporations Act, Corporations Information Act, Education Act, Extra-Provincial Corporations Act, Limited Partnerships Act, Metis Nation of Ontario Secretariat Act, Notaries Act, Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, Succession Law Reform Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2020-05-12
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support and Protection Act, 2020
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
189
Title
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Support and Protection Act, 2020
Description
An Act to amend various Acts to address the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Legislation Affected
Development Charges Act, Education Act, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act, Planning Act, Police Services Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2020-04-14
Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
186
Title
Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020
Description
The Bill amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000 to address when emergency leave is available to employees in case of infectious disease emergencies.
The amendments entitle an employee to a leave of absence without pay, starting on the prescribed date, if the employee will not be performing the duties of his or her position because of various reasons related to a designated infectious disease, including that the employee is under medical investigation, supervision or treatment; that the employee is in quarantine or isolation; that the employee is providing care or support to another individual; or that the employee is affected by travel restrictions. Restrictions on the entitlement are specified, and related amendments are made addressing the evidence of entitlement required, when the entitlement ends and the regulation-making powers.
Legislation Affected
Employment Standards Act, SARS Assistance and Recovery Strategy Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2020-03-19
Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
175
Title
Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020
Description
An Act to amend and repeal various Acts respecting home care and community services.
Legislation Affected
Connecting Care Act, Excellent Care for All Act, Health Care Consent Act, Health Protection and Promotion Act, Home Care and Community Services Act, Local Health System Integration Act, Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence Act, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Appeal and Review Boards Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act, Private Hospitals Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2020-07-08
WSIB Coverage for Workers in Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes Act, 2020
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
194
Title
WSIB Coverage for Workers in Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes Act, 2020
Description
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 is amended to provide that an employer who operates a residential care facility or a group home is a Schedule 1 employer for the purposes of the Act.
Legislation Affected
Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2020-07-06
Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act (Presumption Respecting COVID-19), 2020
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
191
Title
Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act (Presumption Respecting COVID-19), 2020
Description
The Bill amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. New section 15.0.1 of the Act applies with respect to workers who work for a business that has been listed as an essential business in an order made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. If a worker for an essential business receives a positive test for the disease known as COVID-19, the disease is presumed to be an occupational disease that occurs due to the nature of the worker’s work, unless the contrary is shown. The presumption applies to a positive test received on or after January 25, 2020. Transitional matters are provided for.
Legislation Affected
Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2020-05-19
Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act, 2020
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
141
Title
Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act, 2020
Description
The Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act, 2019 is enacted. The Act imposes certain requirements respecting the installation, maintenance, testing and availability of defibrillators on designated premises or public premises. The Act also requires defibrillators at such premises to be registered with the registrar within specified time periods, and for the prescribed persons to be notified of the registrations. Regulations may be made under the Act setting out details relating to the requirements under the Act.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2020-06-18
PTSD Awareness Day Act, 2018
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
9
Title
PTSD Awareness Day Act, 2018
Description
The Bill proclaims June 27 in each year as PTSD Awareness Day.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2018-08-02
Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2018
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
35
Title
Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2018
Description
The Bill amends the Human Rights Code to include immigration status, genetic characteristics, police records and social condition as prohibited grounds of discrimination. The Act currently includes race, place of origin, gender identity, family status and disability, among other things, as prohibited grounds of discrimination.
Amendments to various provisions of the Act are made including amendments to provide that every person has a right to equal treatment, without discrimination because of immigration status, genetic characteristics, police records and social condition, with respect to services, goods and facilities, the occupancy of accommodation, the right to contract, employment and membership in various types of organizations. The right to equal treatment without discrimination because of genetic characteristics includes the right to equal treatment without discrimination because a person refuses to undergo a genetic test or refuses to disclose the results of a genetic test.
Legislation Affected
Human Rights Code
Status
First Reading
Date
2018-09-26
Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act, 2019
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
48
Title
Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act, 2019
Description
An Act to amend various Acts in relation to education and child care.
Legislation Affected
Early Childhood Educators Act, Education Act, Ontario College of Teachers Act, Plan for Care and Opportunity Act (Budget Measures), Teaching Profession Act
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2019-04-03
Long-Term Care Homes Amendment Act (Preference for Veterans), 2018
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
51
Title
Long-Term Care Homes Amendment Act (Preference for Veterans), 2018
Description
The Bill amends the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 by enacting a definition of “veteran” that includes former officers and former non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces. The Bill amends the Act to require the Minister to ensure that preference in admission to long-term care homes is given to veterans.
Legislation Affected
Long-Term Care Homes Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2018-11-15
Keeping Students Safe on School Buses Act (Highway Traffic Amendment), 2018
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
56
Title
Keeping Students Safe on School Buses Act (Highway Traffic Amendment), 2018
Description
The Bill makes it mandatory to have three-point seat belts on forward-facing seats on school buses.
Legislation Affected
Highway Traffic Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2018-11-29
Brunt and Kendall Act (Ensuring Safe Firefighter and Trainee Rescue Training), 2018
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
58
Title
Brunt and Kendall Act (Ensuring Safe Firefighter and Trainee Rescue Training), 2018
Description
The Bill makes amendments to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 and to the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 to implement measures to provide for the safe training of firefighters and firefighter trainees in rescue and emergency services.
Legislation Affected
Fire Prevention Act, Private Career Colleges Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2018-04-19
Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019
Royal Assent - 100%
Bill #
68
Title
Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019
Description
The Bill enacts, amends or repeals various Acts and revokes various regulations.
Legislation Affected
Community Safety and Policing Act, Police Services Act, Complementary Repeals, Consequential Amendments, Special Investigations Unit Act, Coroners Act, Mandatory Blood Testing Act,
Status
Royal Assent
Date
2019-03-26
Home Care and Community Services Amendment Act (Dan’s Law), 2019
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
73
Title
Home Care and Community Services Amendment Act (Dan’s Law), 2019
Description
The Bill amends the Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994 so that a person who moves to Ontario from another province or territory and who had public health insurance in the province or territory will not be subject to any waiting period for funded services under the Act that may otherwise be applicable to new Ontario residents.
Legislation Affected
Home Care and Community Services Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2019-02-25
9-1-1 Everywhere in Ontario Act, 2019
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
75
Title
9-1-1 Everywhere in Ontario Act, 2019
Description
The Bill enacts the 9-1-1 Everywhere in Ontario Act, 2019 which requires the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services to fulfil various obligations related to the provision of and infrastructure for 9-1-1 services. The Act also places certain obligations on persons or entities who operate a 9-1-1 call centre respecting the staffing, supervision and training of staff.
The Bill also amends the Ombudsman Act to establish the position of Assistant Ombudsman responsible for the oversight of 9-1-1 operations and the Assistant Ombudsman’s functions, which include assisting the Ombudsman with investigations relating to the provision of 9-1-1 services.
Legislation Affected
Ombudsman Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2019-05-09
Closing Oversight Loopholes for Home Care Clinics Act, 2019
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
102
Title
Closing Oversight Loopholes for Home Care Clinics Act, 2019
Description
The Bill amends the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994 and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act.

Health Protection and Promotion Act
A new section 11.1 is added to the Act requiring home care clinics to establish a process for reviewing complaints and requiring the operator of a home care clinic to notify the medical officer of health if a complaint is made. Also, a new section 15.1 is added to the Act requiring every person who intends to commence to operate a home care clinic to give notice to the medical officer of health.
Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994
Paragraph 8 of subsection 3 (1) of the Act is amended to update the rights of persons receiving community services with respect to persons receiving community services at a home care clinic. A new section 30.1 is added to the Act requiring the operator of a home care clinic to provide the address of the clinic to the medical officer of health. Section 31 of the Act is amended by adding a new subsection (2) which requires the operator of a home care clinic to ensure that certain information is posted in the clinic in a conspicuous and easily accessible location. A new section 62.1 is added to the Act to give medical officers of health the right and responsibility to inspect home care clinics.
Legislation Affected
Health Protection and Promotion Act, Home Care and Community Services Act, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2019-05-02
Mandatory Police Training Act, 2019
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
105
Title
Mandatory Police Training Act, 2019
Description
In addition to the restrictions of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, a person is prohibited from being appointed as, or acting as, a police officer or special constable unless the person has successfully completed the training approved by the Minister responsible for administering that Act in the use and administration of naloxone for the purpose of blocking the effects of opioids. A person is also prohibited from acting as a First Nation Officer, the Inspector General of Policing or an inspector under that Act unless the person has successfully completed that training.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2019-05-16
Speaking Out About Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment Act, 2019
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
111
Title
Speaking Out About Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment Act, 2019
Description
The Bill amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The provisions of the Act protecting workers against reprisals are amended to include protections against reprisals against workers who speak out about workplace violence and workplace harassment. The amendments provide that a reprisal is any measure taken against a worker that adversely affects the worker’s employment. Examples of reprisals are provided.
Legislation Affected
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2019-05-07
Respecting Injured Workers Act (Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment), 2019
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
119
Title
Respecting Injured Workers Act (Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment), 2019
Description
In calculating the amount of payments to an injured worker, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 considers the earnings that a worker is able to earn in suitable and available work. Currently, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board may decide that a worker is able to earn amounts that they are not actually earning, on the basis of suitable and available work they do not actually have. The amendments would prevent that from happening unless the worker refused employment in bad faith.
Legislation Affected
Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2019-05-27
Defibrillator Registry Act, 2019
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
140
Title
Defibrillator Registry Act, 2019
Description
The Bill enacts the Defibrillator Registry Act, 2019. The Act provides for the creation of a registry of the location of defibrillators installed in premises that are accessible to members of the public and for the appointment of a Registrar to maintain the registry. The registry is to be made available to 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers in Ontario.
Persons responsible for premises that are accessible to members of the public are required to notify the Registrar when installing a defibrillator or when removing or relocating it. The Act also sets out certain requirements related to the maintenance of the defibrillators. The Minister responsible for the administration of the Act may develop programs and services that aim to assist in identifying where to install defibrillators and in appropriately maintaining the defibrillators. The Minister is required to develop a complaints mechanism for use by members of the public respecting alleged contraventions of the Act.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2019-11-18
Health and Safety at Work Day Act, 2019
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
143
Title
Health and Safety at Work Day Act, 2019
Description
The Bill proclaims April 28 in each year as Health and Safety at Work Day.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2019-11-18
Long-Term Care Homes Amendment (Till Death Do Us Part) Act, 2019
In Committee - 60%
Bill #
153
Title
Long-Term Care Homes Amendment (Till Death Do Us Part) Act, 2019
Description
The Bill amends the Residents’ Bill of Rights set out in section 3 of the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 by adding the right of residents not to be separated from their spouses upon admission but to have accommodation made available for both spouses so that they may continue to live together.
Legislation Affected
Long-Term Care Homes Act
Status
In Committee
Date
2019-12-12
Defibrillator Training and Access Act, 2019
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
158
Title
Defibrillator Training and Access Act, 2019
Description
The Bill requires the owners of designated premises to install, make available for use, maintain and test defibrillators in their premises. Owners must also ensure that training is undertaken in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
The Bill also provides for the registration of defibrillators with a registrar designated by the Minister. The registrar is required to notify emergency service providers and others of the registration, including the specific location, of a defibrillator.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2019-12-05
Education Amendment Act (Use of Seclusion and Physical Restraints), 2019
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
160
Title
Education Amendment Act (Use of Seclusion and Physical Restraints), 2019
Description
The Bill amends the Education Act to require the Minister of Education to establish policies and guidelines with respect to the use of seclusion and physical restraints in schools.
Legislation Affected
Education Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2019-12-09
Ontario Climate Crisis Strategy for the Public Sector Act, 2019
First Reading - 20%
Bill #
165
Title
Ontario Climate Crisis Strategy for the Public Sector Act, 2019
Description
The Bill enacts the Ontario Climate Crisis Strategy for the Public Sector Act, 2019, which requires the Lieutenant Governor in Council to establish the Ontario Climate Crisis Strategy for the Public Sector. The Minister responsible for the administration of the Act is also required to prepare reports with respect to energy consumption by the public sector and other related matters.
Legislation Affected
New Act
Status
First Reading
Date
2019-12-11

Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development – Notices

 

Reg. 434/21, amending regulation

Reg. 851, amended Industrial Establishments regulation

The Industrial Establishments regulation (Regulation 851) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act has been amended to streamline and clarify pre-start health and safety review requirements while maintaining existing worker health and safety protections. The changes will come into effect on January 1, 2022.

 

Section 7 of Regulation 851 requires that a pre-start health and safety review be carried out in factories on certain machinery, protective elements, structures, and processes that can pose a serious hazard to worker health and safety, before they are operated for the first time or before modifications are made.

 

With the proposed amendments, the equipment, protective elements, structures and processes that would need a pre-start health and safety review would continue to be:

- storage and dispensing of flammable liquids

- safeguarding devices such as light curtains, or interlocked barrier guards that prevent worker access to a hazard

- racks and stacking structures

- processes and dust collectors that pose a risk of fire or explosion

- processes that involve molten metals

- cranes and other lifting devices that are suspended from or supported by a structure

- ventilation systems used to control worker exposure where processes use or produce a hazardous biological or chemical agent

 

For ease of use, the Table to section 7 has been modified to include a new column setting out exemptions, which were previously described in the body of section 7. Some of circumstances and exemptions have been modified to clarify their meaning, and there are two new exemptions.

 

Other administrative amendments

Additionally, sections 104, 105, and 106.2, which set out modular training requirements for workers in the logging sector, have been updated to reflect current training program names and numbers. Updates also reflect that the approval and administration of these training programs is now the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. These amendments come into force July 1, 2021.

 

Effective date: 2022-01-01

 

Reg. 420/21, Notices and Reports Under Sections 51 to 53.1 of the Act – Fatalities, Critical Injuries, Occupational Illness and Other Incidents

A new regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) will come into effect on July 1, 2021: Ontario Regulation 420 / 21 – Notices and Reports under Sections 51 to 53.1 of the Act – Fatalities, Critical Injuries, Occupational Illnesses and Other Incidents.

The new regulation incorporates the critical injury definition and streamlines reporting requirements into a single regulation that applies to all workplaces covered under the OHSA.

 

Effective date: 2021-07-01

 

 

Last updated: December 24, 2021