Updated on Mar 24, 2023

On March 23, the province tabled its 2023 Budget (Bill 85, Building a Stronger Ontario Act). The Budget focused on a few key priority areas, such as investments in the manufacturing sector, development of infrastructure (i.e. transit investments and highways), and targeted spending for attracting individuals to high-demand fields (i.e. skilled trades and nursing). In regards to infrastructure, the Province plans to invest over $184 billion over 10 years to accelerate construction, improve infrastructure delivery and operations, and address labour shortages. The Province reinforced its commitment to continue building Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, while highlighting the previously announced Transit‐Oriented Communities at the future Bridge and the High Tech stations at Royal Orchard along the YNSE, as well as the Tesla battery manufacturing facility in Richmond Hill.

Budget 2023 also included the following:

• Funding to tackle homelessness, and mental health and addictions;
• $24M over three years to the Ontario Land Tribunal and Landlord and Tenant Board to clear the backlog and streamline processes;
• Exploring the option for municipalities to opt into an Urban Mobility Vehicles Pilot Program;
• $9.5M over the next three years to improve soil data mapping, evaluation, and monitoring;
• Working with municipalities and utilities on designs and infrastructure upgrades for industrial “mega-sites”;
• Additional $14M in 2023/24 for the Greenlands Conservation Partnership;
• Amending the Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act which provides that a portion of the tax that is paid to Ontario under the Gasoline Tax Act in each fiscal year be dedicated to the provision of grants to municipalities for public transportation; and
• Expanding access to the small business Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate extending the eligible range from between $10-15M of taxable capital to between $10-50M.

The Budget did not address the financial challenges currently facing municipalities as a result of the pandemic and other legislative decisions. According to StrategyCorp, “it seems those funds will wait until planned municipal audits are complete later this year” (in reference to Bill 23). The province has not yet provided timelines or details regarding the audits.

Updated on Mar 23, 2023

• Bill 79, Working for Workers Act, is currently in Second Reading. If passed, it would amend the:
  • Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act, related to contraventions of subsection 9 (1) or (2) of the Act in respect of a passport or work permit;
  • Employment Standards Act to provide that an employee who is in treatment, recovery or rehabilitation in respect of a physical or mental health illness, injury or medical emergency that results from participation in certain operations or activities is entitled to reservist leave;
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act to increase the maximum fine for a corporation for a conviction;
  • Ontario Works Act which would permit the collection, including indirect collection, of personal information as well as its disclosure.
    • The employment law firm, Hicks Morley, has written a short article on Bill 79 and how it may impact employers.
• Bill 46, Less Red Tape, Stronger Ontario Act, received Royal Assent on March 22. It amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to revise the definition of “health care practitioner” to remove a reference to drugless practitioners.
  • On March 21, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, MPP Laura Smith, spoke to changes occurring as a result of Bill 46. Specifically, MPP Smith spoke to upcoming changes of the Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) system that would centralize government programs and related IT systems onto the platform. No changes were mentioned related to the administration of transfer payments.
  • Furthermore, MPP Todd McCarthy, Parliamentary Assistant to the President of the Treasury Board, stated that the “leave-to-construct” changes proposed under Bill 46 “will not remove or impact existing rights to municipalities or utility companies […] municipalities and utilities will retain the right to decide whether to enter into these agreements.” These comments refer to S.92 of the Ontario Energy Board Act.
• Bill 70, Seniors Month Act, carried Second Reading on March 22. If passed, it would proclaim June of each year as Seniors Month, with the goal of placing greater emphasis on the health and well-being on seniors, keeping older adults connected and engaged, as well as encouraging inclusion and age-friendly communities.
• On March 21, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, and Associate Minister of Housing, Michael Parsa, recognized the celebration of Nowruz while also acknowledging the current ongoing conflict occurring in Iran and its impact on the broader Iranian community.
• On March 21, Speaker of the House, Ted Arnott, recognized Savannah Chu Morrison from Richmond Hill, a member of the new cohort of Legislative Pages.
• On March 22, MPP for Richmond Hill, Daisy Wai, recognized the observances of Nowruz and Ramadan. As well, MPP Wai commended the success of the Richmond Hill Winter Carnival which took place on February 4.

Updated on Mar 13, 2023

The Province posted a bulletin highlighting the potential of upcoming regulatory proposals related to comprehensive and/or individual environmental assessment which will focus on four areas: sector based terms of reference, guidance for proponents, updating the codes of practice, and improving internal review processes. SGR will continue to monitor of any regulatory postings.

Updated on Mar 6, 2023

• The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks posted a bulletin informing an amendment to the Municipal Class Environment Assessment. These changes include conditionally exempting certain low-risk, routine municipal road, water and wastewater projects from requiring an environmental assessment. More information on the changes can be found via the hyperlink.
• The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued an overall benefit permit to York Region to widen 19th Avenue and replace existing culverts along a tributary of the Rouge River in Richmond Hill, which will impact Redside Dace.
• The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks released an update to the regulatory posting pertaining to the Certificate of Property Use for 850 Elgin Mills Road East in Richmond Hill. Purpose is to inform the public that comments are still being reviewed and no decision has been made.
• The Government approved the replacement of several tank and dispenser sump entry boots tank and dispenser sump entry boots at a Circle K Gas Station location at 13735 Bathurst Street in Richmond Hill.

• On Wednesday, the Province presented its 2022-2023 Third Quarter Finances, which included projected deficits and revenue for the remainder of the 2022-2023 fiscal year, as well as program expenses. The government plans to provide its next update as part of the 2023 Budget, expected to be delivered on or before March 31. For more information, see the Ministry of Finance news release.
• As pre-budget consultations continue, several agencies who advocate on behalf of the interest of municipalities have released their pre-budget submissions (SGR will continue to share as other submissions are released to the public):
  • AMO
  • AMCTO
• Bill 46, Less Red Tape, Stronger Ontario Act, was ordered for Third Reading on February 21. If passed, it would amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to revise the definition of “health care practitioner” to remove a reference to drugless practitioners.

Federal:

Updated on October 10, 2023

In the Federal House of Commons, a new Speaker was elected.  Greg Fergus, a Liberal MP from Quebec, will be the first Black Canadian to hold the role.

The government introduced Bill C-56 An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act (aka the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act) which, if passed, would increase the GST rental rebate from 36% to 100% and remove the existing GST rental rebate phase-out thresholds for new rental housing projects as well as provide the Competition Tribunal with greater authority to investigate price fixing and consider mergers.

On September 20, Leah Taylor Roy (Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill) addressed the House with respect to Gender Equality Week, noting that “[o]ver 100 years have passed since women could first run for office, yet only 30% of MPs are women.”

On September 21, Majid Jowhari (Richmond Hill) rose in the House to make a statement on what would have been Jina Mahsa Amini’s 23^rd birthday and to “ [amplify] the Iranian people’s persistent call for freedom and an end to such violence.”

Updated on Mar 23, 2023

• On March 20, MP for Richmond Hill, Majid Jowhari, and MP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, Leah Taylor Roy, respectively rose in the House to recognize Nowruz, while also acknowledging the ongoing conflict in Iran.
• Bill S-5 completed three readings in the Senate and is currently in committee in the House of Commons. If passed, it would require the development of a plan under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act that will specify substances that are toxic or have the propensity to become toxic, based on their properties and characteristics. In addition, it will include the mandatory labelling of products if considered “toxic,” which will be developed through a framework. The Act would also recognize that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment.
• Bill S-209 carried Second Reading in the House of Commons and is currently in consideration in committee. If passed, it would proclaim March 11 of each year as Pandemic Observance Day. This will not be considered a national holiday.

• Bill C-224 completed the Committee Stage and is currently in Third Reading. If passed, it would begin the development of a national framework designed to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting with the goal of improving access for firefighters to cancer prevention and treatment. It would also designate the month of January in each year as “Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.”
• Bill C-232 is currently in Third Reading. If passed, it would proclaim the month of April as “Arab Heritage Month” across Canada. This day would celebrate the contributions those of Arab descent have made to shaping the cultural fabric of Canada.