THIS WEEK AT QUEEN’S PARK (and elsewhere)
Reports have been swirling online that DoFo, who asserted in 2019 that he's "the only premier in history that refuses to use the premier's plane that costs taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars," hitched a ride with the Ontario Provincial Police to FordFest Windsor, a PC Party celebration that took place on Friday.
Fate of the Mantharay It is being reported that a third party workplace investigator found the allegations of workplace misconduct against MPP Michael Mantha were substantiated. The NDP have “permanently removed” him from caucus, he is intending to sit as an independent member of Provincial Parliament.
You Used to Call me on my Cell Phone?The NDP is asking Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner to investigate claims that the Premier and government staff are using personal cell phones to avoid requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act. Global News is conducting its own investigation making a freedom of information request for records related to the Premier’s private cell in 2022.
Municipalities Issue Permits Burlington Mayor pushed back against the Ford government’s criticism that Burlington is not building new homes quickly enough to meet demand. Stating the obvious, she said “Municipalities don’t build homes”. With all of the can kicking, is it any wonder why we have a housing shortage?
Can I see some ID? A legal advocacy group has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the Toronto Police Services Board and four police chiefs over the practice known as carding, alleging that randomly stopping individuals and collecting their personal information violated Charter rights.
Back to School? Ontario’s elementary and secondary schools announced plans to hold strike votes next month after what they described as failed collective bargaining with the provincial government.
Show Me the Money! College faculty members represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union will be receiving an additional 6.5 per cent in salary increases over three years. They are the latest group of public sector workers to see their pay boosted due to an Ontario court finding a provincial wage restraint law known as Bill 124 unconstitutional.
We Heart Caribou Ontario Launches New Program to Protect Caribou - Program to fund habitat protection and research projects supporting caribou conservation. The largest single investment in caribou history! Fun Fact: caribou and reindeer are actually the same thing.
OBA ADVOCACY THIS WEEK
Check out new OBA submissions:
Making a Difference: A select group of OBA members have volunteered to provide input into the Law Commission of Ontario’s project on protection orders. While this is not an OBA-led project, we are always pleased to be able to offer these opportunities to our members.
CURRENT AND UPCOMING CONSULTATIONS
If you are interested in participating in any of these consultations, please let your section executive know.
- LSO Continuation of the Certified Specialist Program
- Auto Insurance Reform – Civil Jury Trials
- Virtual Access to Court Proceedings
- Modes of Appearance in Family Court
- Making Ontario Target Benefit Plan Permanent
- Five Year Review of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act
- Heat Stress and Poor Air Quality Regulations – OHSA
- Response to Active Attacker Incidents – multi-jurisdictional
- Major Incident Response Plan – Expansion beyond acts of terrorism
- Effective Policing in Communities
- Police Record Checks – 5-year review
BILLS SINCE LAST UPDATE
The House sits again on September 25, 2023, but Committees continue to meet during the summer. There are no scheduled committee meetings for the month of August.
NEW GOVERNMENT REGULATORY CONSULTATIONS
*NEW THIS WEEK*
Use of Force Regulation under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019
Deadline for Comments: September 22, 2023
Major Case Management under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019
Deadline for Comments: September 18, 2023
General Matters under the Authority of the Lieutenant Governor in Council under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019
Deadline for Comments: September 18, 2023
Training under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019
Deadline for Comments: September 18, 2023
Promoting Transit and Keeping Penalties off Rates
Deadline for Comments: September 18, 2023
The Local Services Board of Pellatt, Pelican, Umbach, Gidley - Request for the Power of Recreation Deadline for Comments: September 16, 2023
*ONGOING*
Proposal to amend O. Reg. 509 / 18 under the Electricity Act, 1998 (“Efficiency Regulation”) Deadline for Comments: August 24, 2023
Poor Outdoor Air Quality and Workplace Health and Safety Consultation Deadline for Comments: August 24, 2023
Response to Active Attacker Incidents (Adequacy Standard) under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 Deadline for Comments: August 24, 2023
Major Incident Response Plan Deadline for Comments: August 24, 2023
Adequate and Effective Policing (General) Regulation under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 Deadline for Comments: August 24, 2023
New Heat Stress Regulation Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act Deadline for Comments: August 24, 2023
Summary of Proposed Regulatory Changes to Strengthen Oversight of Children's Licensed Out of Home Care - Amendments to Ontario Regulation 155/18 - General Matters Under the Authority of the Lieutenant Governor in Council and Ontario Regulation 156/18 - General Matters Under the Authority of the Minister Deadline for Comments: August 24, 2023
Summary of Proposed Legislative Changes to Strengthen Oversight of Children's Licensed Out of Home Care - Amendments to the CYFSA Deadline for Comments: August 24, 2023
Proposed Amendment to Ontario Regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act - Extend for One Year the Temporary Exemption from the Solvency Concerns Test for Certain Jointly Sponsored Pension Plans for Filing Annual Valuation Reports Deadline for Comments: September 4, 2023
Proposed Amendment to Ontario Regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act - Extend for One Year the Temporary Rules for Specified Ontario Multi-Employer Pension Plans Deadline for Comments: September 4, 2023
Legislative review of the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 (PRCRA) Deadline for Comments: September 5, 2023
New Regulation made under sections 19(2)(b)(iii) and 36(0.1) of the Securities Commission Act, 2021 that prescribes additional purposes for which the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) can use enforcement money Deadline for Comments: September 11, 2023
Regulatory Amendments to O. Reg 261/22 under the Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act, 2006 (FARPACTA) Deadline for Comments: October 3, 2023
LAW SOCIETY OF ONTARIO NEWS
The LSO released a new Notice to the Profession regarding exploitative loan agreements that typically target vulnerable senior citizens.
The next Convocation meeting is September 28, 2023.
PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS
There are numerous appointment opportunities currently advertised on the Public Appointments Secretariat website. The appointments are for: the Social Benefits Tribunal (4 positions), the Child and Family Services Review Board (2 positions), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (2 Positions), the Landlord and Tenant Board (1 position), the Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council (1 position) and the Grain Financial Protection Board (1 position).
But wait... there’s more! There are 201 positions identified as vacant at this time. Understanding that vacant does not mean actively hiring, you can check out the list here, which includes a seat on the Board of Governors for several universities, Plannings Boards, the Royal Ontario Museum, Legal Aid Ontario, and the Ontario Judicial Council.
Have a great weekend!