Ontario's Legislative Assembly to Convene November 21, 2011
The Ontario government announced that the Legislature will convene on November 21, 2011 for the election of the new Speaker. A Speech from the Throne will follow on November 22, 2011.
Bill 181, Mandatory Retirement Legislation For Firefighters, Receives Royal Assent
On June 1, 2011, Bill 181, Fire Protection and Prevention Amendment Act, 2011, received Royal Assent.
As previously reported, Bill 181 amends the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 to provide for the mandatory retirement at age 60 of firefighters regularly assigned to fire suppression duties, in certain circumstances, and impose a duty of fair representation on bargaining agents in respect of firefighters in the unit, whether or not they are members of the bargaining agent.
The Bill should be consulted for coming into force information.
Bill 181, Mandatory Retirement Legislation For Firefighters, Passes Third Reading as Amended
On May 31, 2011, Bill 181, the Fire Protection and Prevention Amendment Act, 2011, passed at Third Reading as amended and is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly.
As previously reported, Bill 181 amends the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 to provide for the mandatory retirement at age 60 of firefighters regularly assigned to fire suppression duties, in certain circumstances, and impose a duty of fair representation on bargaining agents in respect of firefighters in the unit, whether or not they are members of the bargaining agent.
The Bill should be consulted for coming into force information.
Mandatory Retirement Legislation For Firefighters Ordered for Third Reading as Amended
On May 19, 2011, Bill 181, the Fire Protection and Prevention Amendment Act, 2011, was ordered for Third Reading after being reported as amended by the Standing Committee on General Government.
The Committee amended the "Reasonable Accommodation" provision found in section 2 of the Bill to provide as follows:
53.1(4) A firefighter shall not be required to retire if the firefighter can be accommodated without undue hardship, considering the cost, outside sources of funding, if any, and health and safety requirements, if any.
As previously reported, Bill 181 would, if passed, amend the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 to provide for the mandatory retirement at age 60 of firefighters regularly assigned to fire suppresion duties, in certain circumstances, and impose a duty of fair representation on bargaining agents in respect of firefighters in the unit, whether or not they are members of the bargaining agent.
Mandatory Retirement Legislation For Firefighters Referred to Committee
On May 11, 2011, Bill 181, the Fire Protection and Prevention Amendment Act, 2011, was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on General Government.
As previously reported, Bill 181 would, if passed, amend the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 to provide for the mandatory retirement at age 60 of firefighters regularly assigned to fire suppresion duties, in certain circumstances, and impose a duty of fair representation on bargaining agents in respect of firefighters in the unit, whether or not they are members of the bargaining agent.
Mandatory Retirement Legislation For Firefighters Introduced (Age 60)
On April 18, 2011, the Ontario government introduced Bill 181, the Fire Protection and Prevention Amendment Act, 2011, legislation that would, if passed, amend the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 to provide for the mandatory retirement at age 60 of firefighters regularly assigned to fire suppresion duties, in certain circumstances.
In addition, the legislation would impose a duty of fair representation on bargaining agents in respect of firefighters in the unit, whether or not they are members of the bargaining agent, and would provide for supporting enforcement mechanisms.
As previously reported, a private member's motion calling upon the Ontario government to introduce such legislation was passed in the Legislature on March 10, 2011.
TTC "Essential Service" Legislation Receives Royal Assent
On March 30, 2011, Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, received Royal Assent and came into force.
As previously reported, Bill 150 designates the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service and provides for binding arbitration by a neutral third party where a collective agreement cannot be reached through bargaining.
TTC "Essential Service" Legislation Passes Third Reading
On March 30, 2011, Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, passed Third Reading. It will come into force upon Royal Assent.
As previously reported, Bill 150 designates the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service and provides for binding arbitration by a neutral third party where a collective agreement cannot be reached through bargaining.
TTC "Essential Service" Legislation Ordered for Third Reading
On March 24, 2011, Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, was reported without amendment from the Standing Committee on General Government and ordered for Third Reading.
As previously reported, Bill 150 is proposed legislation that would designate the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service and provide for binding arbitration by a neutral third party where a collective agreement cannot be reached through bargaining.
TTC "Essential Service" Legislation Passes Second Reading, Referred to Committee
On March 8, 2011, Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, carried at Second Reading and was ordered referred to the Standing Committee on General Government.
As previously reported, Bill 150 is proposed legislation that would designate the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service and provide for binding arbitration by a neutral third party where a collective agreement cannot be reached through bargaining.
TTC Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011 (Bill 150)
Bill 150, the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, proposed legislation announced yesterday by the Ontario government, has now been posted on the Legislative Assembly website.
TTC "Essential Service" Legislation to be Introduced
On February 22, 2011, the Ontario government announced plans to introduce the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act, 2011, legislation designating the Toronto Transit Commission an essential service.
The legislation, if passed, would provide for binding arbitration by a neutral third party where a collective agreement cannot be reached through bargaining, effectively banning strikes and lockouts.
The legislation would be subject to a review after a five-year period.
AMBULANCE ACT REGULATION FILED
On December 30, 2010, the Ontario government filed amendments to Regulation 257/00 (General) under the Ambulance Act.
O. Reg. 527/10 changes the heading of Part V from “Standard of Patient Care and Transportation” to “Standard of Patient Care and Documentation”, among other things.
The amendments also add a new section 11.1, requiring ambulance operators, emergency medical attendants and paramedics employed by or engaged as a volunteer by an operator to provide documentation in accordance with the Ministry’s ambulance documentation standards.
New OHSA Regulations Filed
On December 6, 2010, the Ontario government filed a number of regulatory amendments under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including:
- O. Reg. 480/10 (Firefighters—Protective Equipment), amending O. Reg. 714/94 in respect of protective garment standards for firefighters performing interior structural fire suppression duties; and
- O. Reg. 479/10 (Designated Substance—Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations), which excludes workers and their employers from O. Reg. 278/05 when the workers are engaged in fire suppression work, rescue and emergency services work or investigation work under the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997. The regulation provides that Regulation 833 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents) made under the Act applies instead.
The regulations will come into force on January 1, 2011.
New Regulations Published under Police Services Act
On July 17, 2010, the following regulations made under the Police Services Act were published in the Ontario Gazette:
- O. Reg. 268/10, dealing, in part, with the duties of police officers, unsatisfactory work performance and a code of conduct;
- O. Reg. 267/10, which relates to the conduct and duties of police officers respecting investigations by the Special Investigations Unit.
Also published were O. Reg 264/10 (Equipment and Use of Force), O. Reg 266/10 (Suspect Apprehension Pursuits) and O. Reg. 265/10 (Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System Reports).
A regulation made under the Interprovincial Policing Act, 2009 was published as well. O. Reg. 273/10 relates to the appointment of officers and indemnification.
All regulations are in force.
