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New Amendments to the Construction Act

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Ministry of the Attorney General Office

We are writing to advise you that as part of Bill 57, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018, introduced on November 15, 2018, the government has proposed a series of technical amendments to the Construction Act (the “Act”), which are set out in Schedule 8:

https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-57.

The amendments would, if passed, support the changes previously enacted and ensure that they work effectively.

Proposed Amendments

Bill 142, Construction Lien Amendment Act, 2017 was enacted in December 2017. It amended the Act to:

 

  • Modernize the construction lien and holdback rules (effective July 1, 2018); and
  • Establish prompt payment and adjudication processes (scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2019).

The Ministry of the Attorney General worked closely with construction experts Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel, as well as an Advisory Group made up of experts in key industry sectors, to develop the previous amending legislation and related regulations.

The ministry has continued to communicate with stakeholders and the experts as the construction industry prepares for the full implementation of the amended Act. During recent consultations with Mr. Reynolds, Ms. Vogel, and the expert Advisory Group, the experts recommended a number of additional amendments to address technical gaps, provide clarity, and ensure that the benefits of the new processes under the Act are realized.

Based on these recommendations, Schedule 8 to the Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018 would, if passed, amend the Construction Act to:

 

  • Revise and clarify the transition rules, including (but not limited to):

o   Clarifying that if an improvement is subject to the “old” (pre-July 1, 2018) Act, it is also subject to the old regulations, including forms;

o   Changing the current transition rule related to leasehold interests by providing that the existence of a leasehold interest is not relevant to the transition rules, subject to a narrow exception;

o   Setting out a specific transition rule for the amendments related to liens against municipalities;

o   Ensuring that the transition rule for prompt payment and adjudication addresses the commencement of a procurement process;

  • Revise and clarify the procedural rules for adjudication;
  • Clarify the fees that may be charged by the Authorized Nominating Authority; and
  • Make other technical and housekeeping amendments.

Please review the full text of Schedule 8 for complete details of the proposed amendments to the transition rules, as well as the other proposed amendments.

If the proposed amendments are passed, their implementation would be tied to the existing implementation timelines for the previous amendments. Therefore, the amendments related to the “modernization” changes to the Act would come into force upon Royal Assent, since the modernization amendments took effect on July 1, 2018. The amendments related to prompt payment, adjudication and liens against municipalities would come into force when the previous amendments to which they relate come into force (scheduled for October 1, 2019).

Bill 57, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018 will proceed through the normal course, with an opportunity for debate and a vote by members of the House.

The ministry would like to acknowledge and thank Mr. Reynolds, Ms. Vogel, and the Advisory Group, whose expert feedback and recommendations were critical to the development of the proposed amendments.

Ministry of the Attorney General

attorneygeneral@ontario.ca

City of Barrie November Building Bulletin

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ADDITION OF DWELLING UNITS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS:
On behalf of the Development Services Division of the Finance Department, this Bulletin clarifies the
existing Development Charges By-law 2014-108 regarding the addition of dwelling units to existing
residential buildings.
No development charge shall be imposed where the only effect on an action is to:
a. Permit the creation of one or two additional dwelling units within an existing single detached
dwelling, provided that the total gross floor area (as defined in the Development Charges By-law)
of the additional one or two units does not exceed the gross floor area of the existing dwelling
unit.
b. Permit one additional dwelling unit in any semi-detached dwelling or row dwelling, provided that
the gross floor area of the additional unit does not exceed the gross floor area of the existing
dwelling unit.
c. Permit one additional dwelling unit in any other existing residential building, provided that the total
gross floor area of the additional unit is less than the gross floor area of the smallest dwelling
units contained in the said residential building.
The exemption to development charges shall only apply to the first instance of intensification in an
existing dwelling. The addition of a second suite is considered intensification.
If one or more dwelling units are being added to an existing building, only one building permit application
is required and will be subject to the conditions above to determine if an exemption will be applied.
If you have questions or require clarification, please email: DevelopmentCharges@barrie.ca.

Kim Cunningham
Deputy Chief Building Official
DEVELOPMENT CHARGES BY-LAW 2014-108

Ontario’s New Police Record Check Legislation

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Check It Out! Ontario’s Police Record Check Legislation Comes into Force November 1, 2018

In the first quarter of 2016 we wrote about the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 (the “Police Record Checks Act”) – new legislation to standardize the process by which police record checks are requested, conducted and obtained in Ontario. Although the Police Record Checks Act was passed and received Royal Assent on December 3, 2015, it lay dormant waiting to be proclaimed into force. On November 1, 2018, after almost three years, the legislation will finally be proclaimed into force.

Read the full bulletin here

Making Ontario Open for Business Act

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Making Ontario Open For Business Act Executive Summary
October 2018

In 2017, Ontario’s Liberal Government introduced and passed Bill 148, referred to as the “Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017” (“Bill 148”). Controversial on many fronts, Bill 148 made sweeping changing to Ontario’s employment and labour landscape.

This week, Ontario’s Conservative Government under Premier Ford introduced Bill 47, the Making Ontario Open For Business Act, 2018 (“Bill 47”) which, when passed, will in large part return Ontario’s employment and labour laws to their pre-Bill 148 status, with some exceptions. Changes are also proposed to the province’s apprenticeship system and it appears the College of Trades will be wound down.

We expect to see Bill 47 move through the Legislature quickly. If passed in their present form, the amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) will take effect on the later of January 1, 2019 and the date of Royal Assent. The amendments to the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (“LRA”) will come into force on the date of Royal Assent.
We have prepared the following Executive Summary of key proposed amendments together with our Firm’s brief commentary. By and large, the proposed amendments are welcome news for Ontario employers.

 

Read the Council of Ontario Construction Association’s reaction to the Government’s announcement.

Full Press Release

Recreational Cannabis is Legal – Now What?

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Six Things an Employer Should Know – and a Checklist

The information provided in the link below is courtesy of Sherrard Kuzz LLP.

Sherrard Kuzz LLP is one of Canada’s leading employment and labour law firms exclusively representing the interests of management. Recognized nationally and internationally, our team is consistently named among Canada’s Top 10 Employment and Labour Boutiques (Canadian Lawyer®), Canada’s Leading Employment & Labour Law Firms (Chambers Global® and Legal 500®) and as Repeatedly Recommended (Lexpert®).

https://barrieca.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Briefing-Note-Recreational-Cannabis-is-Legal-Now-What-Sherrard-Kuz….pdf

 

Huronia Alarm & Fire Security Inc. acquires Ontario Security Systems

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Collingwood, Ontario: September 24, 2018

 Head:  Huronia Alarm & Fire Security Inc. acquires Ontario Security Systems

Huronia has acquired the monitored accounts of Ontario Security Systems in Orillia, Ontario.  Ontario Security Systems has been providing alarm monitoring and video surveillance services to residential and commercial customers in Southern Georgian Bay, Muskoka and Central Ontario since 1992.

“I’ve known Henry for over twenty years,” says Kevin Leonard, Chief Operating Officer of Huronia Alarm & Fire Security Inc.  “We have worked alongside Henry and the team at Ontario Security Systems by providing their customers with 24/7 security system and video surveillance monitoring from our ULC listed, Five Diamond certified monitoring station in Midland, Ontario.”

Leonard goes on to say, “the Huronia team has also provided security system service and support for Ontario Security Systems customers, so in addition to already monitoring their accounts, we have also had an opportunity to personally meet a number of their Customers already.”

From a commercial and industrial customer standpoint, Ontario Security Systems has always had a strong foothold in the region.  “We continue to see growth in our own commercial client base and we are proactively bringing on new products and services for those customers across all four of our business divisions (security monitoring, fire safety, audio video and locks, keys and safes),” said Rob Thorburn Jr., President & CEO of Huronia Alarm & Fire Security Inc.  “This type of targeted commercial-customer portfolio acquisition is part of our Strategic Plan for continued growth in this region.”

Huronia Alarm & Fire Security Inc. has been in business for over 45 years and is Central Ontario’s leading provider of home and business security and monitoring services, IP Cameras, fire and safety, lock, key and safe products and services, home theatre, audio and video consultation and entertainment room design, as well as cabling and smart home wiring for today’s home automation requirements.

###

For more information contact:

Media Inquiries – Jaclyn Jones, Account Manager at Whiting & Holmes Limited, 289-337-3662, jaclyn@whitingandholmes.com.

Specific Inquiries relating to Huronia – Kevin Leonard, Chief Operating Office at Huronia Alarm & Fire Security Inc. 705-792-9311, kleonard@huroniaalarms.com

An Invitation for Consultation

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Ministry of Labour

 Office of the Assistant Deputy Minister Operations Division

400 University Ave. 14th Floor Toronto, Ontario M7A 1T7

Telephone:         (416) 326-7667 Fax:                      (416) 212-4455

August 29, 2018

Dear Stakeholder:

We invite you to participate in the Ministry of Labour’s Workplace Health and Safety consultations taking place in October 2018.

This year, the ministry’s Operations Division and the Prevention Office are hosting back-to-back consultations. We are looking for your feedback to help keep Ontario workers safe and healthy while at work.

These discussions will be an opportunity to help shape the future direction of the ministry’s Safe at Work Ontario strategy for 2019/20. Your feedback will help improve the effectiveness of our Safe at Work Ontario campaigns and enhance the compliance support we offer.

We will also provide you with an update on some of our activities (ongoing and planned) in response to the feedback we received from you in the January/February 2018 Safe at Work Ontario consultation sessions.

In addition, the Ministry’s Chief Prevention Officer is developing Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Strategy for the next 5 years, and would like your input to identify and address emerging priorities.

There will be in-person sessions taking place in the Greater Toronto Area. We are also hosting web-based consultations if you are unable to attend an in-person session. As space is limited, please visit  https://sawo.eventbrite.com to register for the session(s) of your choosing and secure your spot.

If you have questions or comments, please email the ministry at SAWOConsultations@ontario.ca.

Ensuring continued engagement with our stakeholders is vital to the success and improvement of workplace health and safety culture in Ontario. I hope you will accept this invitation to participate in the dialogue.

Sincerely,

(Original signed by)

Leon Genesove

Acting Director

Occupational Health and Safety Branch Ministry of Labour

Ron Kelusky

Chief Prevention Officer Prevention Office Ministry of Labour

Ontario Government Launches Planning for Prosperity

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READ IT ON THE WEB

News Release

Ontario Government Launches Planning for Prosperity: A Consultation for the People

Treasury Board Secretariat

TORONTO – Ontario’s Government for the People is continuing to take action in restoring trust and accountability in the province’s public finances. Today, Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy announced the next step in engaging with Ontarians by launching a three week online public consultation.

The Planning for Prosperity consultation complements the line-by-line review of all government programs and services.

“It is important that Ontarians have a direct say in how government can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of provincial programs and services, while avoiding job cuts,” said Minister Bethlenfalvy. “We will continue listening to the people of Ontario about what matters most to them, and we will use what we hear to ensure our vital public services are affordable and sustainable, both now and in the years to come.”

Through this consultation, Ontarians will have the opportunity to rank the importance and effectiveness of a range of government services. This consultation will allow people, including members of the Ontario Public Service, to suggest new ideas to transform the way those services are delivered in an open and transparent way.

“Premier Doug Ford and our government are committed to restoring accountability and trust in how taxpayers’ money is spent,” added Minister Bethlenfalvy. “These consultations and the line-by-line review will help us improve public services so that Ontarians have confidence that their money is being spent with prudence and care.”

Quick Facts

  • The Planning for Prosperity online consultation will run from August 29, 2018 to September 21, 2018, as part of the government’s comprehensive line-by-line review of all government programs and services.
  • On August 10, 2018 EY Canada was chosen as the successful applicant to conduct the line-by-line review after a thorough evaluation, and based on the selection criteria set out in the public request for bids. The review will provide a detailed analysis of current spending, benchmark against other jurisdictions, and identify areas for improvement, including efficiencies and cost savings.
  • Ontario has the highest subnational debt of any jurisdiction in the world. The line-by-line review will establish a more sustainable baseline to ensure a fiscally healthy government for future generations.
  • Learn about the progress we’re making delivering on our promise to take decisive action to address Ontario’s urgent issues here.

Media Contacts

The City of Barrie Tendering is going Paperless!

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https://www.barrie.ca/Doing%20Business/Pages/Bids-Tenders.aspx

Bids & Tenders

The City is committed to securing the best products and services at the most competitive prices. We strive to provide significant value to all of our stakeholders and set standards of excellence within the municipal sector, while supporting Council’s Responsible Spending objective.

City of Barrie Tender Process is going paperless!

As part of our commitment to embrace innovation and improve how we do business, the City is excited to announce that on October 15, 2018, our open tender process is going paperless.

After the successful launch on May 1 of our new e-tendering platform, we are now expanding to a fully electronic submission process. Effective October 15, 2018, ALL open procurements will be submitted electronically (including all Request for Procurements (RFP), High Score Request for Quotations, and Low-bid Request for Quotations).

Benefits of Going Paperless

  • 100% environmentally friendly, on-line submissions
  • Reduced carbon footprint – no more courier and printing requirements
  • No requirement to travel to public tender openings
  • Automatic notifications of new bid opportunities, addenda and site meeting reminders
  • Online access to bid results
  • Customized vendor dashboard for quick access to active opportunities and bid history
  • Self-serve profile management

E – Bonding

Along with the move to full electronic tender submissions, the City is also moving towards the acceptance of electronic bonds. Stay tuned for more information on this initiative. Learn about electronic bonds.

Subscription Information

Documents are free to view, however; you will need to register and subscribe to bids&tenders™ to download bid documents, receive notifications about new City of Barrie bid opportunities, and submit bids to the City of Barrie. Subscription to bids&tenders™ unlimited is just $165/year.  Pay once and access all agencies using bids&tenders™ in Canada . A one-time, pay-per-bid option is also available at $45/bid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to the existing bids on biddingo.com?
Where can I register with bid&bids&tenders™?
How much does bids&tenders™ cost?