Ontario.

• Author: McCauley, Jocelyn
• Position: Legislative Reports

Back-to-work Legislation

On December 6, 2018, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario adjourned for the winter recess, scheduled to return on February 19, 2019. However, on December 15, 2018, an Order in Council was issued requesting that the Speaker reconvene the 1st Session of the 42nd Parliament at 1:00 p.m. on December 17.

The government announced that the purpose of the recall of the House was to put forward legislation that would prevent a possible upcoming strike over the Christmas holidays by the Power Workers' Union. The last collective agreement between Ontario Power Generation Inc. and the Power Workers' Union expired on March 31, 2018. The parties had been engaged in the collective bargaining process for many months, including conciliation with the assistance of the Ministry of Labour, but were unable to resolve their dispute. On December 13, 2018, the Power Workers' Union's membership did not ratify Ontario Power Generation Inc.'s final offer. On December 14, 2018, the Power Workers' Union gave notice of a strike.

On Monday, December 17, the Government introduced Bill 67, An Act to amend the Labour Relations Act, 1995. The House met through the week to debate Bill 67, which received Royal Assent on December 20, 2018. This same day, the House adjourned a second time for the winter recess and is scheduled the resume sitting on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

Membership Changes

During the fall sitting period, there was a change in the distribution of seats in the House after Jim Wilson (MPP for Simcoe-Grey) and Amanda Simard (MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell) ceased to be members of the Progressive Conservative Caucus. They now sit as Independent Members.

Condolences

During this period, the House expressed its condolence on the death of Reid Scott, Member for the Electoral District of Beaches from June 7, 1948 to October 6, 1951.

Statutory Parliamentary Officers

On November 15, 2018, Minister of Finance Victor Fedeli introduced Bill 57, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018. This bill, which received Royal Assent on December 6, 2018, made changes to the roles and responsibilities of various Officers of the Legislature, among other things.

The French Language Services Act and the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Act, 2007, were amended so that duties previously associated with the positions of French Language Services Commissioner and the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth were transferred to the...