Several laws and regulation changes in Ontario are taking effect this new year, from child-care fees to minimum wage for gig workers.
Here’s a look at some of the notable new rules in force in 2025:
CHILD CARE
Starting in the new year, the Ontario government is capping child-care fees at $22 per day for families enrolled in Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care programs.
The province is also switching from a revenue replacement model to a cost-based model for the national $10-a-day program. The government says it will offer benchmark funding based on the average cost in each region and legacy top-ups if daycares have higher costs. In lieu of profit or surplus, the province will also offer additional funding.
Non-profit centres welcomed the change when it was announced in August, while for-profit operators decried the new model, saying it would not give them sufficient autonomy to run their centres how they see fit.
Also, the maximum temperature of hot water supplied to any sink, bathtub or shower in child-care facilities and provincial demonstration schools is going to be lowered from 49 C to 43 C.
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT CHANGES
The total threshold to report a collision involving property damage to police is increasing from $2,000 to $5,000. The province says the change aims to reduce the administrative burden on drivers, commercial vehicle operators, and police services.
Owners of motor vehicle inspection stations have until Mar. 31, 2025, to switch to the new DriveON program, a digital platform for the province’s vehicle safety and emissions inspections. It replaces the paper-based program. The deadline was initially set for Dec. 31, 2024.
LONG-TERM CARE HOMES
All long-term care (LTC) homes in the province must have sprinklers installed in the new year. However, the Ontario government is extending the compliance deadline to Jul. 1, 2026, for designated LTC homes “to account for additional infrastructure work.” The province says those homes must implement additional fire safety measures in the interim.
Also, LTC homes can also arrange hybrid or virtual consultations with registered dietetics when a dietitian cannot be found.
PAYDAY LOANS
The maximum limit on the cost of borrowing under a payday loan agreement is $14 for every $100 advance. The maximum fee that payday lenders can charge for dishonoured payments is now $20. The government says the amendments were made to be consistent with the federal changes to the Criminal Code.
SOME ONTARIO HEALTH UNITS MERGE
Regulations under the Health Protection and Promotion Act have been amended to establish four new local public health agencies from the voluntary integration of nine health units. They are:
- Brant County Health Unit and Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
- Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough County-City Health Unit
- Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Health Unit and Leeds; Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
- Porcupine Health Unit and Timiskaming Health Unit
NEW CANNABIS RULES
It is prohibited to cultivate, propagate, and harvest cannabis in places where child-care services are provided. Those caught in violation will be fined up to $1,000 for a first conviction and up to $5,000 for subsequent convictions.
The province is also reducing the time it takes for authorized cannabis retailers to purchase another authorized store.
CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETIES
The Ontario government is mandating that children’s aid societies provide information about child protection investigations to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
They will also be required to visit children in out-of-home care placements every 30 days, conduct safety assessments, and develop plans of care for children in adoption placements.
MINIMUM WAGE FOR GIG WORKERS
Starting Jul. 1, app-based gig workers will be entitled to a regular minimum wage. These workers will also be able to receive information from their employer about their pay and tips under the Digital Platform Workers' Rights Act.
The law will make it mandatory for workers to receive a recurring pay period and payday. It also includes the right to resolve work-related disputes in Ontario.
NEW ONTARIO BUILDING CODE
Ontario’s new Building Code comes into effect in the new year, and the government says it will increase harmonization with the National Construction Codes by removing at least 1,730 technical variations.
The province adds that the new building code aims to reduce regulatory burdens, increase the safety and quality of buildings, and make it easier to construct housing.
Ontario has amended a regulation under the Housing Services Act to promote the use of more wood, such as mass timber, in construction “to help address affordability and support good-paying construction jobs.”
With the changes under the Planning Act, municipalities in Durham and Waterloo regions will have the primary land use planning responsibility, which was previously handled by regional governments.
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES
The construction sites will be required to provide menstrual products for onsite crews of 20 or more workers at projects that are expected to last three or more months.
Employers at construction sites and other workplaces will also be required to keep washrooms clean and sanitary, and maintain records of cleaning.
NEW ARCHITECT LICENCE CATEGORY
The Ontario Association of Architects will be allowed to create a new limited licence category called “Licensed Technologist.” The province has amended regulations under the Architects Act to establish the requirements needed to obtain the licences and the specific scope of the practice.
RENEWING LICENCE FOR MASTER ELECTRICIANS
The Ontario government will no longer require a recent photograph of a master electrician during the licence renewal process.
OTHER CHANGES:
- The province says it amended regulations under several laws to establish consistent police record check requirements to improve the safety of children and youth in care. These include when and for whom the checks are required, the practices that must be followed and what information is disclosed in the process.
- Ontario colleges and universities are required to establish clear policies to support student mental health and address and prevent racism and hate on campus.
- Gravel pits and quarries are getting their own property tax class.
- To match the federal government, the province is extending the eligibility of the Ontario Child Benefit for six months for families who have lost a child.
- Public Health reporting requirements are being streamlined to make reporting and addressing emerging issues, including communicable diseases, easier.
- Accredited community pharmacies and integrated community health services centres are mandated to submit additional data to Ontario’s Electric Health Record.
- The province is giving respiratory therapists greater flexibility in the registration process to align with other Canadian jurisdictions.
With files from CTV Toronto and CP24 staff