Legislative Updates

Bill 124 Very Repealing: The province says it will repeal a wage-cap law on public sector workers that the Court of Appeal found unconstitutional on Monday. Bill 124 capped salary increases for public sector workers at one per cent a year for three years. It was struck down as unconstitutional and the Court of Appeal upheld that decision.

Breakfast at Dougie’s: Ontario Premier Doug Ford met with his Alberta counterpart for a “working breakfast” at his home in Etobicoke, this week. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing criticism after introducing provincial legislation that, among other things, prohibits anyone under 18 from undergoing gender-affirming surgeries.

Premier’s Private Letters: In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Friday that Premier Doug Ford's mandate letters for cabinet ministers can be kept secret. Mandate letters are given to cabinet ministers at the beginning of their terms and lay out the priorities and expectations for their files. The ruling marks the end of a long fight over the documents which has spanned two terms of government.

Courthouse expansion? Check: The Ontario government has announced the completed expansion of the Brampton courthouse. The $117 million investment in the expansion of the courthouse – one of the busiest in the province – includes six additional floors with 18 new hearing rooms, upgraded security features, and improved accessibility spaces. The government says the courthouse also boasts enhanced technology to support more virtual hearings.

Pedal down on privatization plans: The province has unveiled the next steps in their plans to ramp up the role of for-profit and private clinics in Ontario’s healthcare system. Starting in the spring, the province will begin expanding the number of licensed diagnostic and surgery centres offering things such as MRI and CT scans, endoscopies and orthopedic surgeries. The legislation the changes come under — Bill 60 — was tabled by the Ford government as a way to, hopefully, cut waiting times.

Bail or jail: Ontario's solicitor general has announced a new system to track people on bail. An investment of $24 million is being is being delivered through the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension Grant program. The province says it will help police services establish dedicated bail compliance and/or warrant apprehension teams to monitor high-risk individuals, as well as support new technology for a provincewide bail compliance monitoring system.

Booze news for you: Ontarians will soon have 8,500 new places to buy their favourite drinks. On Thursday, Doug Ford finally made good on his promise to expand the sale of alcohol. Starting in 2026, Ontarians will be able to buy beer, wine, cider and seltzers at convenience stores, big box outlets and some gas stations.

On the auditor’s naughty list: The Ontario auditor general’s office published its annual report on Wednesday … and it wasn’t good news for the government.

Do you give a hoot … or two?: Opposition MPPs are calling for more public engagement concerning the government’s plan to return land to the Greenbelt after Premier Doug Ford said in the Legislature that the public “don’t give two hoots” about the issue.

Banning what’s already banned: The Ontario government unveiled plans this week to ban unpaid trial shifts for restaurant and hospitality workers. But it’s already illegal for employers to do that under the Employment Standards Act. So, what gives? Well, Labour Minister David Piccini says unpaid trial shifts are currently happening as part of the interview process in some restaurants, so this legislation is designed to specifically prohibit the practice.