Submissions and Legislative Updates

Province to Audit Children’s Aid Sector: The province is launching a review of the 37 non-Indigenous children's aid societies, looking at the quality of protection they provide and their financial management. Premier Doug Ford said last week he has heard "nightmare stories about the abuse of taxpayers' money," suggesting the agencies are working in places he referred to as Taj Mahals, and managers are giving themselves bonuses.

Get Your Motor Runnin’: Premier Doug Ford says his government is planning to increase speed limits on 400-series highways across the province. The government increased speed limits from 100 kilometres per hour to 110 kilometres per hour on six sections of provincial highways in 2022, after several successful pilot programs that first began in 2019. Earlier this year, the province raised the speed limit on 10 more sections of highways across the province.

A Tunnel is for Digging: Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he wants to build a tunnel for cars and transit under Highway 401 that would stretch roughly from Brampton to Scarborough.

PCs Hold on to Eastern Ontario Seat: Progressive Conservative candidate Tyler Allsopp will represent Bay of Quinte in the Ontario legislature. The Belleville councillor and business owner won Thursday’s byelection with 38.69 per cent of the vote, a slim victory of 2,002 votes over Liberal candidate Sean Kelly. The NDP’s Amanda Robertson was third.

Province Eyes LTB Changes: Premier Doug Ford says changes could be coming to the province's rental rules, arguing the “pendulum has swung” against small, independent landlords. Earlier this week,

Premier Lashes Out at Feds Over Bail: Premier Doug Ford has once again slammed the federal government over bail laws when it comes to repeat offenders. “We need the federal government to change the Criminal Code once and for all, and stop being a bunch of bleeding hearts,” Ford said at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday.

Early Election May Be on the Horizon: In the latest sign Ontario could be heading toward an early election, the Progressive Conservative Party will begin nominating candidates in a matter of weeks, including sitting ministers who plan to run again. At the end of May, Ontario Premier Doug Ford sent opposition parties scrambling to prepare for a snap poll when he repeatedly refused to rule out calling an early election.

Provincial Consultation on PPNs: The Ontario Ministry of Finance has announced a 60-day public comment period asking insurance companies, pharmacy operators, consumers and employers to help the government better understand the role of “preferred provider networks” (PPNs) in the province’s group benefits insurance sector. The government is considering whether new regulations are needed to limit exclusivity deals between insurers and pharmacies.

Ontario Education Minister Resigns: Minister Todd Smith is resigning effective immediately. He has accepted a job in the private sector. Smith has served in cabinet since Premier Doug Ford's government was first elected in 2018, but spent the longest amount of time in the energy portfolio. He spent less than three months as education minister.

New Hospital in Waterloo: The University of Waterloo has been chosen as the site for the newest state-of-the-art hospital, which is expected to open in 2035. The government is investing nearly $50 billion in health infrastructure over the next 10 years, including adding 3,000 new beds.