On September 13, 2010, Bill 68, the Open For Business Act, 2010, was reported as amended by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and ordered for Third Reading.

As previously reported, Bill 68 is omnibus legislation that would amend Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000 as follows:

• to allow the Director of Employment Standards to require claimants to provide specific information and let their employer know about their complaint before the claim is assigned to an officer;
• authorize employment standards officers to attempt settlements of complaints; and
• allow officers to make decisions on claims when parties fail to attend decision-making meetings or provide evidence on time.

More information about Bill 68 and its potential impact on employers is available in our news item, "Employment Standards Changes in the Offing".