The Ontario government has announced a slate of reforms aimed at addressing various issues across the province, with new measures to crack down on transit-borne drug use and other changes taking effect on Canada Day.
New regulations and legislation will impact 13 separate ministries, including the Ministry of Transportation, where mandatory ignition interlock devices will be introduced for convicted impaired drivers, along with six-month "zero-tolerance" conditions prohibiting them from driving with any alcohol or drugs in their systems.
Annual hikes for driver's licenses and road tests will come to an end, saving Ontario drivers $66 million this decade. The province is also cracking down on driver's license fraud by making it harder to get an Ontario license, particularly for those seeking reciprocity from jurisdictions without exchange agreements with Ontario.
The Ministry of Education is also introducing reforms, including changes to the role of trustees and their expense accounts, as well as rebranding Directors of Education as "Chief Executive Officers" and requiring business qualifications for the role. New "Chief Education Officer" positions will be established, with candidates required to hold Ontario College of Teachers certification and a mandate to focus on improving student achievement.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General is introducing new regulations to hold landlords and property owners accountable for knowingly permitting the production of illegal drugs on their property, as well as expanding the powers of police and transit special constables to remove, arrest and issue provincial offenses to individuals using illegal substances on public transit and in public transit areas.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is tightening disclosure rules concerning personal information for youth who are about to age out of Ontario's child protection framework, while other measures will allow those subjected to related court proceedings to publicly identify themselves.
The Ministry of Health is allowing pharmacists to diagnose and prescribe medications for nine new minor ailments, including dandruff, corns and callouses, headaches, head lice, ringworm, warts and jock itch. Eligibility ages for publicly-funded colorectal cancer screening will also drop to 45 from the previous standard of 50 years old.
The Ministry of Finance is introducing measures to recover unpaid bail debts, including collection tools such as liens, wage garnishment and property seizures. Changes to Ontario's car insurance regime will see providers pay eligible collision-related medical and rehabilitation expenses ahead of supplementary health insurance plans.
