EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill enacts the Transparency in Government Bills Act, 2017. The Act requires certain information to be tabled in the Assembly when a government bill is introduced. The information must include, among other things, a statement describing the problem that the bill seeks to address, a description of the public policy goals that the bill seeks to achieve, and a summary of the financial costs that the bill would have on the government, municipalities, the public and any affected industries or businesses.

Bill 138 2017

An Act respecting government bills

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Information requirements re government bills

1 (1)  Upon introduction of a government bill, the following information must be tabled in the Assembly:

    1.  A statement describing the problem that the bill seeks to address.

    2.  A statement describing the public policy goals that the bill seeks to achieve.

    3.  A detailed summary of the financial costs that the bill would have on the government, municipalities, the public and any affected industries or businesses.

    4.  If the effect of the bill would limit competition in the economy, a description of how the public policy goals described in paragraph 2 justify that limit.

    5.  An assessment of the relationship between the bill and other Ontario legislation.

    6.  A detailed description of any potential overlap between the bill and existing municipal by-laws or federal legislation.

    7.  If applicable, a description of how the bill will affect Ontario's competitiveness in the global marketplace.

    8.  If applicable, a science-based assessment of how the bill will affect the environment or human health.

Posting on Assembly website

(2)  The information described in subsection (1) must be available on the Assembly website as soon as possible after the bill is introduced.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Transparency in Government Bills Act, 2017.