Bill 140, Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026

EXPLANATORY NOTE

SCHEDULE 1
AGRICULTURAL TILE DRAINAGE INSTALLATION ACT

The Schedule amends the Agricultural Tile Drainage Installation Act.

Requirements relating to obtaining a licence for a machine used in installing drainage work are repealed. The definition of “Minister” is amended. Regulation-making powers are amended so that the Minister has the power to make regulations under the Act rather than the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Provisions are added to allow the regulations to adopt and require compliance with guidelines, protocols or procedures as they may be amended from time to time.

SCHEDULE 2
ANIMAL HEALTH ACT, 2009

Currently, the Animal Health Act, 2009 provides for the issuing of licences with respect to the control and regulation of the sale of livestock medicines, including places where livestock medicines are sold or offered for sale or distribution. The Schedule amends the Act by dealing with the control and regulation of the sale of livestock medicines by registrations instead of licences.

A technical amendment is made to the French version of the Act and certain not-yet-in-force provisions are repealed.

SCHEDULE 3
BEES ACT

Currently, under the Bees Act, a permit is required for moving bees to or from a quarantine area and for buying, selling or transporting bees-wax refuse or used honeycombs. The Schedule repeals those requirements. It also amends terminology relating to community recreation centres.

SCHEDULE 4
BUILDING HIGHWAY 69 FASTER ACT, 2026

The Schedule enacts the Building Highway 69 Faster Act, 2026. The Act establishes a project-specific environmental assessment process for the Highway 69 Expansion Project, being the realignment and expansion of a specified part of Highway 69 set out in Schedule 1 to the Act.

The Act exempts the Highway 69 Expansion Project and certain related enterprises, activities, proposals, plans and programs from the Environmental Assessment Act, subject to prescribed exceptions. The Act also provides that Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 does not apply to proposals to issue, amend or revoke instruments for or related to the Project.

The Act requires the Minister of Transportation to prepare an Indigenous consultation plan, a draft environmental study report and a final environmental study report for the Project. The Act provides for public and Indigenous consultation on the draft environmental study report and establishes a process for addressing significant changes to the Project through addenda.

The Act requires the Project to be carried out in accordance with the final environmental study report and any addenda, but allows specified early works and related activities to proceed before the assessment process is completed.

The Act contains regulation-making powers, provisions respecting notices, incorporation by reference and retroactive regulations, and makes a consequential amendment to the Building Highways Faster Act, 2024 to designate the Highway 69 Expansion Project as a priority highway project.

SCHEDULE 5
CONSTRUCTION ACT

The Schedule makes various amendments to the Construction Act, including the following:

   1.  Section 26, which sets out a framework for the annual payment of holdback, is amended to provide that for owners prescribed by the regulations, a contract may specify an annual date that would apply for the purposes of the section instead of the contract anniversary date (subsection (10)). For existing contracts, the amendments provide that prescribed owners may fix an annual date that would apply (subsection (11)). The amendments include a transition provision addressing contracts that were entered into on or after January 1, 2026 and before the day the amendments come into force (subsection (12)). Related regulation-making authorities are added to subsection 88 (2).

   2.  Section 87.4, which sets out transitional rules including rules respecting the application of section 26 to contracts entered into before January 1, 2026, is amended to extend the first application of the section to a later date for owners prescribed under subsection 26 (11).

SCHEDULE 6
COURTS OF JUSTICE ACT

The Schedule makes amendments to the Courts of Justice Act, including the following:

   1.  The definition of “action” in subsection 1 (1) is amended, and the definition of “application” in subsection 1 (1) is replaced, to remove references to a statement of claim or notice of application. Related transition provisions are added to section 1.

   2.  Subsection 19 (1.1), which is spent, is repealed.

   3.  Clause 35 (a.1) and subsection 42 (5) are amended to correct French terminology.

   4.  New section 68.2 is added to authorize the making of regulations to deem a reference to a statement of claim or notice of application, in Acts or regulations, to be a reference to a notice of civil proceeding. Regulations are also authorized to specify whether a civil proceeding under an Act or regulation is an action or application.

   5.  Section 137 is amended to clarify that certain fees are prescribed under the Administration of Justice Act.

SCHEDULE 7
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ACT

The Schedule amends the Environmental Assessment Act to repeal section 17.5 respecting municipal support for landfilling sites.

SCHEDULE 8
ENVIRONMENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS, 1993

The Schedule amends the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993.

The Schedule amends the purposes of the Act and repeals sections 7 to 11 of the Act respecting statements of environmental values. The Schedule also provides that the notice and comment requirements in sections 15 and 16 of the Act do not apply to certain proposals that are subject to the Modernizing Ontario for People and Businesses Act, 2020 if specified conditions are met.

The Schedule amends the factors to be considered in determining the period for public comment on proposals under the Act and makes various amendments to update language in the Act.

The Schedule repeals Parts IV to VI of the Act, including provisions respecting applications for review, applications for investigation and environmental protection actions. The Schedule also amends the reprisal provisions in section 105 of the Act.

The Schedule includes a transitional provision respecting reprisals. The Schedule authorizes the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations respecting transitional matters arising from the enactment of the Schedule and provides that such regulations may have a retroactive effect. A provision respecting compensation is also added.

The Schedule makes a consequential amendment to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 and contains commencement provisions, some of which are retroactive to the first reading of the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026.

SCHEDULE 9
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT

The Schedule amends the Environmental Protection Act.

The definitions of “renewable energy generation facility” and “renewable energy project” in subsection 1 (1) are replaced so that, for the purposes of applying those definitions, “renewable energy source” includes prescribed biomass.

Sections 2 to 6 repeal sections 142.1 and 142.2 of the Act and related provisions respecting applications to the Ontario Land Tribunal in relation to renewable energy approvals. The repeals are deemed to have come into force retroactively on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 received first reading.

SCHEDULE 10
FAMILY MEMBERS’ AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF DISABILITY SAVINGS PLAN BENEFICIARIES ACT, 2026

The Schedule enacts the Family Members’ Authority to Act on Behalf of Disability Savings Plan Beneficiaries Act, 2026. The Act authorizes certain individuals to enter into a disability savings plan under which an adult is the beneficiary or to act as the holder of such a plan if certain conditions are met. The Act also provides for the circumstances in which those individuals cease to be authorized to act as the holder of the plan and other related matters.

SCHEDULE 11
FARM IMPLEMENTS ACT

Currently, the Farm Implements Act requires a person to register in order to be a dealer of farm implements or parts or a distributor who sells, consigns or delivers farm implements or parts to a dealer. The Schedule removes the requirement for distributors to register.

The Schedule provides that an applicant for registration as a dealer is entitled to registration on submitting a completed application. Related matters are dealt with, including the expiry of dealers’ registrations, suspensions and revocations and appeals.

The Act is updated with respect to the service of documents. Various technical changes are made.

SCHEDULE 12
FUEL TAX ACT

Currently, the Fuel Tax Act provides for the concept of a “distributor”, that being a person who sells special products only and who is designated as a distributor by the Minister. The Act is amended to eliminate this concept.

SCHEDULE 13
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT

The Schedule amends the Highway Traffic Act in respect of garage and storage licences. Section 59 of the Act, which currently requires a licence in order to deal in motor vehicles or trailers, operate a used car lot or engage in the business of wrecking or dismantling vehicles, is repealed. Amendments are made to the Act respecting such activities and related activities, including authorizing inquiries or examinations to be made of persons that engage in the activities and requiring persons engaging in the activities to submit records to the Ministry.

SCHEDULE 14
METROLINX ACT, 2006

The Schedule amends the Metrolinx Act, 2006 to transfer responsibility for the transportation plan for the regional transportation area from Metrolinx to the Minister. A new section 6.1 requires the Minister to make, review and amend the transportation plan and sets out requirements respecting its contents. The Schedule also requires Metrolinx to be guided by the transportation plan in all its decisions and actions and makes related and consequential amendments to the Act.

SCHEDULE 15
MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE ACT, 2011

The Schedule amends the Ministry of Infrastructure Act, 2011 by requiring that information respecting underground infrastructure be supplied to the Minister. The Minister may order a person or entity to supply such information and may make regulations respecting such information. Provisions are included respecting the uses for such information, deeming information supplied as protected under specified sections of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and respecting the imposition of administrative penalties if a person or entity contravenes or does not comply with an order or regulation. Related regulation-making powers are added, including powers to support the administration of administrative penalties.

SCHEDULE 16
ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD ACT, 1998

The Schedule makes various amendments to the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.

Section 3 is amended to provide that “person”, as used in the Act, includes and has always included a partnership and a limited partnership.

New section 28.1.1 gives the Minister the power to issue directives to the Board to require it to take the steps specified in the directives with respect to the preparation and implementation of capital plans by distributors.

New section 28.2.1 gives the Minister the power to issue directives to the Board to require it to take steps or develop processes in order to protect the interests of consumers who are customers of unit sub-meter providers with respect to the activities, conduct or practices of those providers.

The new directive-making powers may require the Board to amend licence conditions under the Act, and are subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

New section 57.2 empowers the Board to exempt persons participating in a distributed energy resource arrangement from specified licensing requirements under the Act if specified conditions are met. An exemption can last for up to five years, and the Board can renew it. The Board can make an exemption subject to conditions, and can amend, suspend or revoke an exemption on specified grounds. Under the new clause 88 (1) (a.0.1.1), the Board’s powers under section 57.2 can be limited by regulations made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Section 58.2 is added to the Act. The section applies to distributors that are a corporation established under section 142 of the Electricity Act, 1998 and that are required to make payments under section 93 of that Act, as well as to any other distributors that might be specified by the regulation. The section sets out numerous restrictions and requirements applicable to such distributors, including on the composition of their boards of directors. Complementary amendments are made to section 154 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and section 203 of the Municipal Act, 2001 to permit regulations to be made under those sections that would authorize the imposition of similar restrictions and requirements on specified municipal corporations. No compensation is payable to any person with respect to any extinguishment, modification or termination of rights effected by any of the new provisions.

Section 59 of the Act authorizes the issuance of interim licences that expire after six months, unless extended by the Board. The section is amended to give the Board authority to set an expiry period of up to two years. In addition, an interim licence may be renewed for periods of up to two years.

Clause 70 (2) (d) of the Act is amended to provide that conditions of a licence issued under Part V of the Act may include conditions governing the conduct of a unit sub-meter provider when that conduct relates to amounts that a unit sub-meter provider may charge a consumer for the non-payment of a balance due on their account.

Section 71 of the Act is amended to add an additional circumstance in which a distributor may carry on business activities other than the distribution of electricity. The activities are limited to the provision of services for one or more other distributors.

New section 73.1 is added. Under the section, regulations may require one or more distributors to conduct a procurement process for specified goods or services in accordance with the regulations, which may include requirements to give precedence to goods and services from Ontario or Canada. The section provides for cost recovery mechanisms connected to compliance with the regulations. The cost recovery mechanisms may additionally apply if a distributor voluntarily conducts a procurement process that gives precedence to goods and services from Ontario or Canada. A related regulation-making authority is added to section 88, and section 134, which limits civil liability arising from existing procurement restrictions provided for under the Act, is amended to apply with respect to section 73.1 as well.

Section 79.1 provides a cost recovery framework for eligible investments (as defined) made by distributors for the purpose of connecting or enabling the connection of a qualifying generation facility to its distribution system. All consumers are required to contribute to the cost recovery. The section is expanded to also apply to investments specified by the regulations that a distributor makes, if the investment results in a benefit to the distribution system of one or more other distributors. Subsection 79.1 (3) is amended to permit regulations to provide that only some consumers, as specified by the regulations, are required to contribute to cost recovery.

Section 79.17 requires electricity invoices that are issued by distributors to consumers specified by the regulations to meet certain requirements. The section is re-enacted to require not only distributors, but also unit sub-meter providers and any person prescribed by the regulations to ensure that their electricity invoices, and any accompanying or directly connected document or communication, meet specified requirements and are provided in accordance with any specified requirements if they are being provided to consumers who are specified by the regulations.

SCHEDULE 17
ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT

The Schedule makes various amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act. Some of the more significant amendments are described below.

Sections 48 to 51 of the Act are re-enacted. The new section 48 sets out restricted activities that no person shall carry out except in accordance with a registration under the new section 49, in the case of exploratory archaeology, or an authorization under the new section 50, in the case of advanced archaeology. Section 48 also sets out other requirements for the carrying out of restricted activities.

A new section 62.1 allows an individual appointed by the Minister to issue compliance orders against persons who the individual believes are contravening or failing to comply with a provision of Part VI of the Act or a prescribed provision of the regulations.

A new section 66.0.1 sets out exemptions from any requirements to conduct an archaeological assessment under a provision of any other Act or regulation, or instrument under any other Act, other than a provision of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 or a regulation or instrument made under that Act.

A new section 68.4 allows the Minister to issue conservation orders requiring prescribed persons to take such steps as the Minister determines are necessary to prevent loss of, damage to or destruction of one or more artifacts or damage or destruction to an archaeological site. A new section 68.5 allows the Minister to issue orders requiring prescribed persons to compensate the Minister for the costs incurred by the Minister relating to that person’s non-compliance with the Act or regulations. A new section 68.6 allows the Minister to impose administrative penalties for contraventions of, and failures to comply with, prescribed provisions of the Act and the regulations.

Section 69 is amended so that the general maximum fine is increased from $50,000 to $1,000,000 and the maximum term of imprisonment is increased from one year to two years. The maximum fine under subsection 69 (3), which sets out higher maximum fines for certain offences, is increased from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. A new subsection 69 (4) provides that if a corporation is convicted of an offence and is liable to pay a fine, individuals who were directors and officers of the corporation at the time the offence was committed are jointly and severally liable with the corporation to pay the fine.

SCHEDULE 18
ONTARIO LABOUR MOBILITY ACT, 2009

Section 9 of the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009, which governs applicants who are certified by an out-of-province regulatory authority, is amended to provide that an Ontario regulatory authority may only impose on an individual, as a condition of certification in a regulated occupation, certain requirements listed in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. Some exceptions and limitations are also provided for and a consequential amendment to section 26 is made.

SCHEDULE 19
PLANNING ACT

The Schedule amends section 17 of the Planning Act to provide that, despite the right to appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal under subsection (40), there is no appeal to the Tribunal with respect to any part of the plan that is referred to the Tribunal under subsection (55) or (61), unless a notice of appeal with respect to that part of the plan is filed under subsection (40) before the referral is made.

A transitional amendment is made to provide that the exception to the right of appeal applies to an appeal even if the notice of the appeal was filed before the Schedule came into force.

SCHEDULE 20
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT ACT

The Schedule amends the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act.

The amendments repeal and replace the provisions of the Act respecting roadside controls along King’s Highways and controlled-access highways. The new provisions prohibit specified activities on or near those highways unless authorized by a permit issued by the Minister, provide an exception to that prohibition for prescribed activities and require compliance with prescribed requirements in respect of prescribed activities. The amendments also authorize the Minister to issue directions, take enforcement action in specified circumstances and recover the costs incurred in taking that action.

The Schedule also adds inspection and audit powers for the purpose of determining compliance with the Act and adds a regulation-making authority respecting roadside control matters. The Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 21
REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS ACT, 1991

The Schedule amends the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.

Sections 22.18 and 22.19.1 of Schedule 2 to the Act govern applicants for registration with a health profession college who hold an out-of-province certificate. These sections are amended to provide that a College may only impose certain requirements listed in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement on an individual as a condition of registering the individual, and limitations are also provided for.

SCHEDULE 22
RESOURCE RECOVERY AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY ACT, 2016

The Schedule amends the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016.

Amendments are made to various provisions in Part IV of the Act relating to the responsibilities of a person who is the holder of a brand associated with a product in a designated class, including amendments respecting other persons who may be required to carry out the responsibilities. Other amendments relate to the responsibility to offer services to municipalities and prescribed entities.

Regulation-making authority for the Lieutenant Governor in Council is added to the Act regarding such matters as the provision of information and entering into agreements respecting Part IV of the Act. Additionally, a new provision is added to state that a regulation may, if it so provides, specify that it applies to agreements that were entered into before the day the regulation is filed.

SCHEDULE 23
RETAIL SALES TAX ACT

Section 5 of the Retail Sales Tax Act currently requires vendors to hold a permit issued by the Minister when engaging in certain activities. This section is re-enacted so as to require vendors engaged in certain insurance-related activities to register with the Minister. Related amendments are made to other provisions of the Act. In addition, certain spent provisions are repealed.

Bill 140 2026

An Act to enact two Acts and to amend various Acts

CONTENTS

 

Preamble

The Government of Ontario is committed to:

Protecting Ontario from global economic uncertainty by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy.

Cutting red tape, eliminating duplication and streamlining approvals and processes to lower costs, reduce barriers and accelerate investment in our economy.

Transforming environmental oversight to strengthen Ontario’s competitiveness and resilience while maintaining world-class environmental protections.

Improving competitiveness in Ontario’s electricity distribution system to support consumers, businesses and a growing economy.

Supporting Ontario’s workforce by enhancing labour mobility.

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

Contents of this Act

1 This Act consists of this section, sections 2 and 3 and the Schedules to this Act.

Commencement

2 (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

(2)  The Schedules to this Act come into force as provided in each Schedule.

(3)  If a Schedule to this Act provides that any of its provisions are to come into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, an order may apply to one or more of those provisions, and orders may be issued at different times with respect to any of those provisions.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026.

SCHEDULE 1
AGRICULTURAL TILE DRAINAGE INSTALLATION ACT

1 The definition of “Minister” in section 1 of the Agricultural Tile Drainage Installation Act is repealed and the following substituted:

“Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness or such other member of the Executive Council to whom responsibility for the administration of this Act may be assigned or transferred under the Executive Council Act.

2 Subsection 2 (3) of the Act is repealed.

3 Subsection 4 (3) of the Act is repealed.

4 Subsection 5 (3) of the Act is repealed.

5 (1)  Section 14 of the Act is amended by striking out “Lieutenant Governor in Council” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “Minister”.

(2)  Section 14 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsections:

Adoption of guidelines, etc.

(3)  A regulation may adopt by reference, in whole or in part, with the changes that the Minister considers necessary, any guideline, protocol or procedure, including a guideline, protocol or procedure established by the Minister, and may require compliance with any guideline, protocol or procedure so adopted.

Amendments to guidelines, etc.

(4)  The power to adopt by reference and require compliance with a guideline, protocol or procedure in subsection (3) includes the power to adopt a guideline, protocol or procedure as it may be amended from time to time.

When effective

(5)  The adoption of an amendment to a guideline, protocol or procedure that has been adopted by reference comes into effect upon the Ministry publishing notice of the amendment in The Ontario Gazette or in the registry under the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993.

Commencement

6 This Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 2
ANIMAL HEALTH ACT, 2009

1 The definition of “Minister” in section 2 of the Animal Health Act, 2009 is repealed and the following substituted:

“Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness or such other member of the Executive Council to whom responsibility for the administration of this Act may be assigned or transferred under the Executive Council Act; (“ministre”)

2 (1)  Subparagraph 1 ii of subsection 12 (1) of the Act is repealed.

(2)  Subparagraph 1 ii of subsection 12 (1) of the Act, as re-enacted by subsection 9 (5) of Schedule 3 to the Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2019, is repealed.

(3)  Section 12 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Registration — livestock medicine

(2.1)  Subject to the regulations, on receipt of an application made in accordance with the regulations, a director shall issue the following:

   1.  A registration with respect to the control and regulation of the sale of livestock medicines, including places where livestock medicines are sold or offered for sale or distribution.

3 The French version of the Act is amended by striking out “aux personnes” wherever it appears in clauses 21 (2) (k) and 23 (2) (e) and in paragraph 6 of subsection 24 (7) and substituting in each case “aux particuliers”.

4 Clause 49 (3) (g) of the Act is amended by striking out “being chapter L.23 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1990” at the end.

5 Subsection 63 (3) of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

(d.1) providing that a licence issued with respect to the control and regulation of the sale of livestock medicines is deemed to be a registration for the purposes of paragraph 1 of subsection 12 (2.1);

6 Subsections 67 (7) and (8) of the Act are repealed.

Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act

7 Subclause 118 (1) (b) (iii) of the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act is amended by striking out “licensed” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “registered”.

Commencement

8 (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

(2)  Sections 3, 4 and 6 come into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 3
BEES ACT

1 The definition of “Minister” in section 1 of the Bees Act is repealed and the following substituted:

“Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness or such other member of the Executive Council to whom responsibility for the administration of this Act may be assigned or transferred under the Executive Council Act; (“ministre”)

2 Subsection 11 (2) of the Act is repealed.

3 Subsection 19 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “community center” and substituting “community recreation centre”.

4 Section 22 of the Act is repealed.

5 Clause 25 (a.1) of the Act is amended by striking out “12, 13 or 22” and substituting “12 or 13”.

Commencement

6 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 4
BUILDING HIGHWAY 69 FASTER ACT, 2026

CONTENTS

 

Interpretation

Definitions

1 (1)  In this Act,

“environment” has the same meaning as in the Environmental Assessment Act; (“environnement”)

“highway” has the same meaning as in the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act; (“voie publique”)

“Highway 69 Expansion Project” means realigning and expanding that part of Highway 69 described in Schedule 1 and includes the enterprises and activities described in Schedules 2 and 3, carried out by or on behalf of the Minister; (“projet d’agrandissement de la route 69”)

“Minister” means the Minister of Transportation or such other member of the Executive Council to whom responsibility for the administration of this Act is assigned or transferred under the Executive Council Act; (“ministre”)

“Ministry” means the ministry of the Minister; (“ministère”)

“person” includes a municipality, the Crown and a Crown agency within the meaning of the Crown Agency Act; (“personne”)

“prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations; (“prescrit”)

“Project website” means a website maintained by or on behalf of the Minister on which information about the Highway 69 Expansion Project is made available to the public; (“site Web du projet”)

“regulations” means the regulations made under this Act; (“règlements”)

“significant change” means, with respect to the Highway 69 Expansion Project,

  (a)  a change to the alignment of Highway 69 that materially deviates from the alignment shown in the final environmental study report published under section 12 and any final addendum published under section 13,

  (b)  the addition of a commercial vehicle inspection facility or a change to its location,

  (c)  the addition of a maintenance yard or a change to its location,

  (d)  the addition of an interchange, the removal of an interchange or a change to its location, or

  (e)  any other prescribed change; (“modification importante”)

“utility company” and “utility infrastructure” have the same meaning as in the Building Highways Faster Act, 2024. (“entreprise de services publics” and “infrastructure de services publics”)

Project does not include rail and utility work

(2)  For the purposes of this Act, the Highway 69 Expansion Project does not include any change to rail infrastructure, utility infrastructure or any other prescribed activity, regardless of whether the change or activity is carried out by or on behalf of the Minister or by any other person.

Application of Act where Project carried out in phases

2 If the Highway 69 Expansion Project is carried out in two or more phases, the requirements under this Act apply separately in respect of each phase of the Project, including requirements respecting draft environmental study reports, final environmental study reports, addenda, studies, notices, consultation, notice of completion and compliance with final environmental study reports and addenda.

Prior studies, reports etc.

3 (1)  In carrying out any requirement under this Act, including the preparation of a draft environmental study report, final environmental study report or addendum, the Minister may rely on, incorporate or summarize studies, reports and other work carried out, undertaken, completed or updated before or after this Act comes into force.

Same

(2)  For greater certainty, anything relied on by the Minister under subsection (1) may form all or part of the basis for any decision, report or requirement under this Act.

Application of Environmental Statutes

Exemptions from the Environmental Assessment Act

4 (1)  The following are exempt from the Environmental Assessment Act:

   1.  The Highway 69 Expansion Project, including any change to the Project, and any other enterprise or activity carried out by or on behalf of the Minister that is for or related to the Project.

   2.  Any proposal, plan or program for or related to an enterprise or activity referred to in paragraph 1.

   3.  The acquisition, exchange or conveyance of any interest in land by the Crown to facilitate the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

   4.  The disposition or release of the following by the Crown to facilitate the Highway 69 Expansion Project:

          i.  Any interest in land.

         ii.  Any reservation or condition respecting land.

         iii.  Any interest in Crown resources other than land.

   5.  Any transfer or acceptance of administration and control of any interest in land to facilitate the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

   6.  Any enterprise or activity carried out to prepare land for,

          i.  the disposition of an interest in the land, or

         ii.  the transfer or acceptance of administration and control of an interest in the land.

   7.  Any prescribed enterprise or activity carried out by or on behalf of a person other than the Minister, or proposal, plan or program in respect of such an enterprise or activity, that is for or related to the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

Utility infrastructure

(2)  For greater certainty, a change to utility infrastructure by a utility company for a purpose related to the Highway 69 Expansion Project is not exempt from the Environmental Assessment Act under paragraph 1 of subsection (1).

Exception, prescribed enterprises and activities

5 An exemption set out in section 4 does not apply to any prescribed enterprise or activity or to a proposal, plan or program in respect of a prescribed enterprise or activity.

Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993

6 Part II of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 does not apply to a proposal to issue, amend or revoke an instrument for or related to the Highway 69 Expansion Project, including any change to the Project, despite the proposal being a type of proposal for an instrument that is classified by a regulation made under that Act.

Highway 69 Expansion Project Assessment Process

Indigenous consultation plan

7 (1)  The Minister shall,

  (a)  prepare a list of the Indigenous communities described in subsection (2);

  (b)  develop and implement an Indigenous consultation plan respecting,

         (i)  the potential impacts of the Highway 69 Expansion Project, including any change to the Project, on the rights referred to in paragraph 1 of subsection (2),

        (ii)  the draft environmental study report prepared under section 8, and

       (iii)  any draft addendum prepared under section 13 in respect of a significant change; and

  (c)  provide the Indigenous consultation plan, and any revisions to it, to the Indigenous communities on the list referred to in clause (a).

Same

(2)  The following are the Indigenous communities referred to in clause (1) (a):

   1.  Indigenous communities that have established or credibly asserted Aboriginal or treaty rights that may be impacted by the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

   2.  Indigenous communities that, in the opinion of the Minister, may otherwise be interested in the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

Draft environmental study report

8 (1)  The Minister shall prepare a draft environmental study report and publish it on the Project website.

Contents

(2)  The draft environmental study report shall contain the following:

   1.  A statement of the purpose of the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

   2.  A description of the Highway 69 Expansion Project based on the Ministry’s preliminary design for the Project.

   3.  A map showing the location of that part of Highway 69 described in Schedule 1.

   4.  One or more maps or drawings showing the Ministry’s preliminary design for the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

   5.  A description of the local environmental conditions in the area of the Highway 69 Expansion Project based on studies and reports relied on by the Minister in respect of the Project.

   6.  An identification of the studies and reports respecting the impacts of the Highway 69 Expansion Project on the environment that have been completed or updated on or after January 1, 2006 and relied on by the Minister in respect of the Project, and a summary of the negative impacts of the Project on the environment identified in those studies and reports.

   7.  A description of the measures that the Ministry will take to mitigate negative impacts on the environment referred to in paragraph 6.

   8.  A description of how the Ministry will monitor the effectiveness of its mitigation measures referred to in paragraph 7.

   9.  A list of any provincial, federal or other authorizations that may be required for the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

10.  Subject to subsection (4), a consultation record respecting any consultation carried out in respect of the Highway 69 Expansion Project, including,

          i.  a summary of any consultation with Indigenous communities,

         ii.  a summary of any comments submitted and concerns raised by Indigenous communities,

         iii.  a summary of any commitments made by the Ministry to Indigenous communities,

        iv.  a summary of any other consultation carried out, and

         v.  a description of how the Ministry responded to the comments submitted and concerns raised, if any, during the consultations referred to in subparagraphs i and iv.

Studies, par. 6 of s. 8 (2)

(3)  The studies and reports referred to in paragraph 6 of subsection (2) include studies and reports related to,

  (a)  fish and fish habitat;

  (b)  terrestrial ecosystems;

  (c)  archaeological resources;

  (d)  air quality;

  (e)  groundwater;

   (f)  noise;

  (g)  socio-economic and land use;

  (h)  drainage and hydrology;

   (i)  site contamination; and

   (j)  cultural heritage resources.

Prior consultation

(4)  The consultation record referred to in paragraph 10 of subsection (2) is not required to include summaries of any consultation carried out in respect of the following reports:

   1.  “Route Planning and Environmental Assessment Report, South Section”, published December 2006 and made available on a website of the Government of Ontario.

   2.  “Route Planning and Environmental Assessment Report, North Section”, published February 2008 and made available on a website of the Government of Ontario.

   3.  “Highway 69 Patrol Yards from Parry Sound to Sudbury (GWP 5094-06-00) - Transportation Environmental Study Report”, published November 2009 and made available on a website of the Government of Ontario.

Publication of studies

9 (1)  The Minister shall publish on the Project website the studies and reports identified in the draft environmental study report.

Exception

(2)  Despite subsection (1), the Minister is not required to publish any part of a study or report that, in the opinion of the Minister, contains information about sensitive natural or cultural heritage matters.

Notice of draft environmental study report

10 (1)  The Minister shall prepare a notice of the draft environmental study report.

Contents

(2)  The notice shall include the following information:

   1.  The Project website’s address.

   2.  A map showing the location of that part of Highway 69 described in Schedule 1.

   3.  A statement that the draft environmental study report is available for comment.

   4.  Information on how to access the draft environmental study report.

   5.  The name, phone number and email address of a person who may be contacted on behalf of the Ministry.

   6.  Information about the opportunity to submit written comments on the draft environmental study report, including the date by which any comments must be submitted.

Distribution

(3)  The Minister shall publish the notice on the Project website and provide the notice to,

  (a)  every Indigenous community on the list referred to in clause 7 (1) (a); and

  (b)  any municipality, provincial ministry or federal department or other person who, in the opinion of the Minister, may be interested in the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

Comment period

11 After publishing the notice of draft environmental study report under subsection 10 (3), the Minister shall provide the Indigenous communities and persons to whom the notice is required to be given under that subsection and the public with an opportunity to submit written comments on the draft environmental study report.

Final environmental study report

12 (1)  The Minister shall prepare a final environmental study report and, in doing so, shall consider,

  (a)  any concerns raised by the Indigenous communities referred to in clause 10 (3) (a) regarding the draft environmental study report; and

  (b)  any other concerns regarding the draft environmental study report that are identified in written comments submitted on or before the date specified in the notice given in respect of the report.

Contents of final environmental study report

(2)  The final environmental study report shall include the following:

   1.  A summary of any concerns regarding the draft environmental study report referred to in subsection (1) and how the Ministry responded to the concern.

   2.  A description of any changes to,

          i.  the Ministry’s preliminary design for the Highway 69 Expansion Project that was identified in the draft environmental study report published under subsection 8 (1), and

         ii.  the mitigation measures and monitoring that was described in the draft environmental study report.

   3.  If a change described in subparagraph 2 i has been made and the Minister considers it appropriate, a map or drawings showing the change.

Publication of final environmental study report

(3)  The Minister shall publish the final environmental study report on the Project website.

Notice of publication

(4)  The Minister shall give notice of the publication of the final environmental study report to the Indigenous communities and the persons to whom notice is required to be given under subsection 10 (3).

Significant changes and addenda

13 (1)  If, after publishing the final environmental study report, the Minister wishes to make a significant change to the Highway 69 Expansion Project, the Minister shall do the following:

   1.  Prepare a draft addendum to the final environmental study report that includes the following information:

          i.  A description of the proposed change and the rationale for it.

         ii.  A map showing the location of the proposed change.

         iii.  A summary of any negative impacts of the proposed change on the environment.

        iv.  A description of any monitoring programs, mitigation measures or commitments to address the negative impacts that are in addition to or modifications of those identified in the final environmental study report.

         v.  A record of any consultation respecting the proposed change, including,

               A.  a summary of any consultation with Indigenous communities,

               B.  a summary of any comments submitted and concerns raised by Indigenous communities,

               C.  a summary of any commitments made by the Ministry to Indigenous communities respecting the proposed change,

               D.  a summary of any other consultation carried out, and

               E.  a description of how the Ministry responded to the comments submitted and concerns raised, if any, during the consultations referred to in sub-subparagraphs A and D.

   2.  Publish the draft addendum on the Project website.

   3.  Prepare a notice of the draft addendum that contains the following information:

          i.  A description of the proposed change.

         ii.  A map showing the location of the proposed change.

         iii.  A statement that the addendum is available for comment.

        iv.  Information on how to access the addendum.

         v.  The name, phone number and email address of a person who may be contacted on behalf of the Ministry.

        vi.  Information about the opportunity to submit written comments on the addendum, including the date by which any comments must be submitted.

   4.  Give notice of the draft addendum by publishing it on the Project website and providing the notice to,

          i.  every Indigenous community on the list referred to in clause 7 (1) (a), and

         ii.  any municipality, provincial ministry or federal department or other person who, in the opinion of the Minister, may be interested in the significant change.

   5.  Following the opportunity for comment, prepare a final addendum and, in doing so, consider any concerns regarding the draft addendum raised by Indigenous communities and any other concerns regarding the draft addendum identified in written comments submitted to the Ministry on or before the date specified in the notice, and summarize those concerns and the Ministry’s response to them in the final addendum.

   6.  Publish the final addendum on the Project website.

   7.  Notify those referred to in subparagraph 4 i of the publication of the final addendum.

Exception

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of any of the following significant changes to the Highway 69 Expansion Project:

   1.  A significant change that is required to implement an agreement between the Crown and an Indigenous community related to the Highway 69 Expansion Project.

   2.  A significant change that is required in order to comply with provincial or federal law.

   3.  Any other prescribed significant change.

Notice of Completion

14 Once the Minister is satisfied the Highway 69 Expansion Project is complete, the Minister shall publish a notice that meets the prescribed requirements, if any, on the Project website indicating that the Project is complete.

Project Implementation

Requirement to comply with final environmental study report

15 (1)  No person shall carry out the Highway 69 Expansion Project except in accordance with the final environmental study report published under section 12 and any final addendum published under section 13.

Exception

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of carrying out any of the following changes to the Highway 69 Expansion Project:

   1.  A change that is not a significant change.

   2.  A significant change described in subsection 13 (2).

Phased implementation

(3)  For greater certainty, if the Highway 69 Expansion Project is carried out in two or more phases, subsection (1) applies separately in respect of each phase of the Project.

Activities allowed before process complete

Early works and related activities

16 (1)  Despite any other provision of this Act, the following activities may be carried out for a purpose related to the Highway 69 Expansion Project before the requirements in sections 7 to 13 are satisfied:

   1.  Any activity described in paragraph 3, 4, 5 or 6 of subsection 4 (1).

   2.  Procuring goods or services and entering into contracts.

   3.  Obtaining permits, licences, approvals and other authorizations.

   4.  Any activity described in Schedule 3.

   5.  Any other prescribed activity.

Activities not required to be assessed

(2)  Despite any other provision of this Act, the activities referred to in subsection (1) are not required to be addressed in an Indigenous consultation plan under section 7, a draft environmental study report under section 8, a final environmental study report under section 12 or a draft or final addendum under section 13, and subsection 15 (1) does not apply with respect to those activities.

General

Notices

17 (1)  A notice that must be given to a person or entity under this Act is sufficiently given,

  (a)  by personal delivery to the person or entity;

  (b)  through regular mail delivery addressed to the person or entity at the most recent address the Ministry has on record for the person or entity;

  (c)  using any method of mail delivery that permits the delivery to be verified; or

  (d)  by electronic transmission.

Deemed receipt — regular mail

(2)  A notice delivered in accordance with clause (1) (b) is deemed to be given to the person or entity it is addressed to on the fifth day after it is mailed.

Deemed receipt — electronic transmission

(3)  A notice delivered in accordance with clause (1) (d) is deemed to be given on the day after it is sent, unless that day is a holiday in which case the document is deemed to be received on the next day that is not a holiday.

Regulations

18 (1)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting any matter necessary or advisable to effectively carry out the intent and purpose of this Act and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, may make regulations,

  (a)  governing anything referred to as being prescribed or anything that is required or permitted to be done in accordance with the regulations or otherwise as provided by the regulations;

  (b)  prescribing circumstances in which an activity is or is not considered to be carried out on behalf of the Minister for the purposes of this Act, in relation to the Highway 69 Expansion Project;

  (c)  specifying what constitutes a material deviation from an alignment for the purposes of clause (a) of the definition of “significant change” in subsection 1 (1);

  (d)  respecting environmental study reports and addenda, including prescribing requirements for environmental study reports and addenda, in addition to the requirements set out in this Act;

  (e)  respecting consultation carried out under this Act, including consultation with Indigenous communities and the public;

   (f)  respecting the preparation, publication, availability and giving of notices and other documents under this Act;

  (g)  requiring the Minister to conduct reviews of the Highway 69 Expansion Project or any part of it, the final environmental study report and any final addendum, and governing such reviews, including prescribing the timing and frequency of reviews, the matters to be considered in a review and the parts of the Project that are subject to a review;

  (h)  governing transitional matters arising from the enactment of this Act or the making, amendment or revocation of a regulation under this Act;

   (i)  respecting any matter necessary or advisable to facilitate the effective implementation of this Act and the regulations.

Retroactive Regulations

19 If it so provides, a regulation is effective with respect to a period before it is filed.

Incorporation by Reference

20 (1)  A regulation may adopt by reference, in whole or in part, with such changes as the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary, any document, including a code, formula, standard, protocol or procedure, and may require compliance with any document so adopted.

Rolling incorporation by reference

(2)  The power to adopt by reference and require compliance with a document in subsection (1) includes the power to adopt a document as it may be amended from time to time.

Same

(3)  The adoption by reference of an amendment to a document comes into effect on publication of a notice of the amendment in The Ontario Gazette or in the registry under the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993.

Consequential Amendments

Building Highways Faster Act, 2024

21 (1)  Section 2 of the Building Highways Faster Act, 2024 is amended by adding the following definition:

“Highway 69 Expansion Project” has the same meaning as in the Building Highway 69 Faster Act, 2026; (“projet d’agrandissement de la route 69”)

(2)  The definition of “priority highway project” in section 2 of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

(0.a) the Highway 69 Expansion Project,

Commencement and Short Title

Commencement

22 The Act set out in this Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

Short title

23 The short title of the Act set out in this Schedule is the Building Highway 69 Faster Act, 2026.

SCHEDULE 1
PART OF HIGHWAY 69

   1.  The 68-kilometre part of Highway 69 beginning 1.5 kilometres north of Highway 559 and extending northerly to a point 3.9 kilometres north of Highway 522, in the District of Parry Sound and the District of Sudbury.

SCHEDULE 2
HIGHWAY 69 EXPANSION PROJECT ACTIVITIES

   1.  Constructing the realignment and expansion of that part of Highway 69 described in Schedule 1, including all related facilities and structures, such as bridges, trails, wildlife crossings, commercial vehicle inspection facilities, and rest areas.

   2.  Realigning, extending, constructing and changing any highway, road or access road for the purpose of connecting them with or providing access to that part of Highway 69 described in Schedule 1 or a maintenance yard referred to in paragraph 3, including the following:

          i.  Local highways.

         ii.  Local access roads.

         iii.  Forest access roads.

        iv.  Construction access roads.

   3.  Constructing maintenance yards for or related to the realignment and expansion of that part of Highway 69 described in Schedule 1.

   4.  Any other prescribed activity.

SCHEDULE 3
EARLY WORKS ACTIVITIES

   1.  Carrying out tree clearing or vegetation removal in the following parts of Highway 69:

          i.  From Highway 522, northerly for 2.98 kilometres.

         ii.  From a point 0.48 kilometres north of Highway 529, northerly for 3.52 kilometres.

         iii.  From the south junction of Highway 529, northerly for 15 kilometres.

        iv.  From a point 1.5 kilometres north of Highway 7182, northerly for 11 kilometres.

         v.  From a point 1.9 kilometres north of the new Highway 559 interchange to a point 5.3 kilometres north of Woods Road.

   2.  Constructing construction access roads at the following locations:

          i.  Station 13+800, Carling Township.

         ii.  Station 17+000, Carling Township.

         iii.  Station 20+100, Carling Township.

   3.  Constructing the northbound and southbound Still River Bridges at Station 11+877, Henvey Township.

   4.  Land remediation work, including at the following locations:

          i.  The former Muskoka timber mill site located near the location of the future highway interchange at Bekanon Road.

         ii.  A 2.6 kilometre section of CN rail line located approximately 0.25 kilometres south of Highway 522.

   5.  Any other prescribed activity.

SCHEDULE 5
CONSTRUCTION ACT

1 Subsection 13.10 (2.1) of the Construction Act is amended by adding “Subject to the regulations” at the beginning.

2 (1)  Subsection 26 (3) of the Act is amended by adding “and manner” after “form”.

(2)  Section 26 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsections:

Prescribed owners may specify different annual date

(10)  If a prescribed owner enters into a contract that specifies an annual date for the purposes of this section that is different from the contract anniversary date, this section applies with respect to the specified annual date and not the contract anniversary date.

Same, existing contracts

(11)  A prescribed owner may fix an annual date that applies for the purposes of this section instead of the contract anniversary date with respect to a contract that was entered into before the day the regulation prescribing the owner comes into force, by publishing, in the manner set out in the regulations, a notice fixing the annual date.

Same

(12)  In the case of a contract that was entered into on or after January 1, 2026 and before the day subsection 2 (2) of Schedule 5 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force, if a prescribed owner under subsection (11) who fixes an annual date in accordance with that subsection is prescribed for the purposes of this subsection, the following rules apply:

   1.  This section does not apply, and is deemed not to have applied, until the first instance of the fixed annual date.

   2.  Section 26.1, as it read immediately before its repeal, is deemed to have continued to apply despite its repeal, and continues to apply until the first instance of the fixed annual date.

3 (1)  Subsection 87.4 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “the day section 24 of Schedule 4 to the Building Ontario For You Act (Budget Measures), 2024 came into force” at the end and substituting “January 1, 2026”.

(2)  Subsection 87.4 (4) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Exception, s. 26

(4)  If a contract for an improvement was entered into before January 1, 2026, section 26 applies with the following modifications:

   1.  The first contract anniversary date to which section 26 applies is the second anniversary of the day the contract was entered into that follows January 1, 2026.

   2.  A requirement to make payment of holdback under subsections 26 (4) to (7) in respect of the first contract anniversary date to which section 26 applies includes all holdback accrued before that date.

   3.  Paragraphs 1 and 2 apply with respect to a contract for an improvement regardless of any other contract or subcontract for the improvement that may be entered into on or after January 1, 2026.

(3)  Section 87.4 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(4.1)  Despite paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection (4), if a contract for an improvement was entered into before January 1, 2026 and the owner is prescribed for the purposes of subsection 26 (11) and fixes an annual date in accordance with that subsection,

  (a)  section 26 begins to apply with respect to the first instance of the fixed annual date; and

  (b)  until section 26 applies, section 26.1, as it read immediately before its repeal, applies.

(4)  Subsection 87.4 (5) of the Act is amended by striking out “the day section 26 of Schedule 4 to the Building Ontario For You Act (Budget Measures), 2024 came into force” and substituting “January 1, 2026”.

(5)  Subsection 87.4 (6) of the Act is amended by striking out “the day section 6 of Schedule 2 to the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 came into force” and substituting “January 1, 2026”.

(6)  Subsection 87.4 (7) of the Act is amended by striking out “the day section 28 of Schedule 4 to the Building Ontario For You Act (Budget Measures), 2024 came into force” and substituting “January 1, 2026”.

4 (1)  Clause 88 (1) (e.1) of the Act is amended by adding “private” before “adjudicators”.

(2)  Clause 88 (1) (i.1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

(i.1)  for the purposes of section 13.10, governing the payment of adjudicator fees, the determination of fees by the Authorized Nominating Authority under clause 13.10 (2) (b) and fees payable to a private adjudicator under subsection 13.10 (2.1);

(3)  Subsection 88 (2) of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

(0.a) prescribing owners for the purposes of subsection 26 (10), (11) or (12) and, for the purposes of subsection 26 (11),

         (i)  governing the publication of notices fixing an annual date, and

        (ii)  specifying transitional rules respecting the application of section 26 with respect to the fixed annual date;

Commencement

5 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 6
COURTS OF JUSTICE ACT

1 (1)  Clause (b) of the definition of “action” in subsection 1 (1) of the Courts of Justice Act is repealed and the following substituted:

  (b)  notice of civil proceeding, if the proceeding is not an application,

(2)  The definition of “action” in subsection 1 (1) of the Act is amended by adding “or” at the end of clause (e), by striking out “or” at the end of clause (f) and by repealing clause (g).

(3)  The definition of “application” in subsection 1 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

“application” means a civil proceeding that is commenced by a person applying or making an application to court, as authorized by a statute or the rules of court; (“requête”)

(4)  Section 1 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsections:

Statements of claim

(3)  For greater certainty, a reference in this Act to an action includes reference to a civil proceeding that was commenced by a statement of claim before the day subsection 1 (4) of Schedule 6 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force.

Notices of application

(4)  For greater certainty, a reference in this Act to an application includes reference to a civil proceeding that was commenced by a notice of application before the day subsection 1 (4) of Schedule 6 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force.

2 Subsection 19 (1.1) of the Act is repealed.

3 The French version of clause 35 (a.1) of the Act is amended by striking out “adjoint-coordonnateur” and substituting “adjoint et coordonnateur”.

4 The French version of subsection 42 (5) of the Act is amended by striking out “adjoint-coordonnateur” and substituting “adjoint et coordonnateur”.

5 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Regulations, references to forms and types of civil proceeding

68.2  The Attorney General may make regulations,

  (a)  deeming a reference in an Act or regulation to a statement of claim or notice of application to be a reference to a notice of civil proceeding;

  (b)  specifying whether a civil proceeding under an Act or regulation is an action or application.

6 (1)  Section 137 of the Act is amended by striking out “prescribed fee” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “required fee”.

(2)  Section 137 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Definition, “required fee”

(5)  In this section,

“required fee” means the fee, if any, prescribed under the Administration of Justice Act.

Commencement

7 (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

(2)  Sections 1 and 5 come into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 7
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ACT

1 The definition of “municipality” in subsection 1 (1) of the Environmental Assessment Act is amended by striking out “subject to subsection 17.5 (2)”.

2 Section 17.5 of the Act is repealed.

Commencement

3 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 8
ENVIRONMENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS, 1993

1 (1)  Clause 2 (1) (a) of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 is amended by striking out “protect, conserve and, where reasonable, restore” and substituting “protect and conserve”.

(2)  Subsection 2 (3) of the Act is amended by adding “and” at the end of clause (b) and by repealing clause (c).

2 Sections 7 to 11 of the Act are repealed.

3 (1)  The English version of subsection 15 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “their”.

(2)  Section 15 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(3)  Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a proposal for a policy or an Act if,

  (a)  the proposal is in respect of an instrument governed by the Modernizing Ontario for People and Businesses Act, 2020;

  (b)  before the proposal is implemented, an analysis of the proposal’s potential regulatory impact is conducted and published in accordance with section 3 of that Act; and

  (c)  any other prescribed criteria are satisfied.

(3)  Clause 15 (3) (b) of the Act, as enacted by subsection (2), is amended by striking out “section 3” and substituting “section 3 or 3.1, as applicable”.

4 (1)  The English version of subsection 16 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “their”.

(2)  Section 16 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(3)  Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a proposal for a regulation if,

  (a)  the proposal is in respect of an instrument governed by the Modernizing Ontario for People and Businesses Act, 2020;

  (b)  before the proposal is implemented, an analysis of the proposal’s potential regulatory impact is conducted and published in accordance with section 3 of that Act; and

  (c)  any other prescribed criteria are satisfied.

(3)  Clause 16 (3) (b) of the Act, as enacted by subsection (2), is amended by striking out “section 3” and substituting “section 3 or 3.1, as applicable”.

5 Subsection 17 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Same

(2)  In considering how much time ought to be allowed under subsection (1), the minister shall consider the following factors:

   1.  The complexity of the matters on which comments are invited.

   2.  The level of public interest in the matters on which comments are invited.

   3.  The period of time the public may require to make informed comment.

   4.  Any private or public interest, including any governmental interest, in resolving the matters on which comments are invited in a timely manner.

   5.  Any other factor that the minister considers relevant.

6 The English version of subsection 22 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “their”.

7 Subsection 23 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Same

(2)  In considering how much time ought to be allowed under subsection (1), the minister shall consider the following factors:

   1.  The complexity of the matters on which comments are invited.

   2.  The level of public interest in the matters on which comments are invited.

   3.  The period of time the public may require to make informed comment.

   4.  Any private or public interest, including any governmental interest, in resolving the matters on which comments are invited in a timely manner.

   5.  Any other factor that the minister considers relevant.

8 The English version of subsection 24 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her”.

9 The English version of subsection 26 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” and substituting “their”.

10 Sections 38 to 48 of the Act are repealed.

11 (1)  Subsection 49 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “him or her” and substituting “them”.

(2)  The English version of subsection 49 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” and substituting “their”.

12 The English version of subsection 50 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” and substituting “their”.

13 Parts IV to VI of the Act are repealed.

14 (1)  Paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection 105 (3) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

   1.  Participate in decision-making about a policy, an Act, a regulation or an instrument as provided in Part II.

(2)  Section 105 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Transition, Schedule 8 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026

(4)  Subsection 105 (3), as it read immediately before the day subsection 14 (1) of Schedule 8 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force, continues to apply in respect of any reprisal taken before the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 received Royal Assent.

15 (1)  The English version of section 118 of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “their”.

(2)  Subsection 118 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “Except as provided in section 84 and subsection (2) of this section” at the beginning and substituting “Except as provided in subsection (2)”.

16 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

No compensation

119.1  No person is entitled to compensation as a result of the enactment of Schedule 8 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 or the making of any regulation under subsection 121 (1.1.1).

17 (1)  Clauses 121 (1) (p) to (u) of the Act are repealed.

(2)  Section 121 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(1.1.1)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations providing for transitional matters arising from the enactment of Schedule 8 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026.

(3)  Subsection 121 (1.2) of the Act is amended by striking out “subsection (1.1)” and substituting “subsection (1.1) or (1.1.1)”.

(4)  Section 121 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Retroactive

(1.3)  A regulation made under subsection (1.1.1) is, if it so provides, effective with reference to a period before it is filed.

Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016

18 Subsection 20 (7) of the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 is repealed and the following substituted:

Limitation

(7)  This section does not apply to a proceeding before the Tribunal under section 21 of the Ontario Land Tribunal Act, 2021 to which the Minister is a party.

Commencement

19 (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

(2)  Subsections 3 (2) and 4 (2) and section 17 come into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

(3)  Sections 10, 13 and subsection 14 (1) are deemed to have come into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 received first reading.

(4)  Subsections 3 (3) and 4 (3) come into force on the later of the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent and the day section 2 of Schedule 17 to the Cutting Red Tape, Building Ontario Act, 2024 comes into force.

SCHEDULE 9
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT

1 The definitions of “renewable energy generation facility” and “renewable energy project” in subsection 1 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act are repealed and the following substituted:

“renewable energy generation facility” has the meaning the expression would have under the Electricity Act, 1998 if “renewable energy source”, as defined in that Act, included the biomass prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition; (“installation de production d’énergie renouvelable”)

“renewable energy project” has the meaning the expression would have under the Electricity Act, 1998 if “renewable energy source”, as defined in that Act, included the biomass prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition; (“projet d’énergie renouvelable”)

2 Subsection 142 (4) of the Act is repealed.

3 Sections 142.1 and 142.2 of the Act are repealed.

4 Subsection 145 (2) of the Act is repealed.

5 Subsection 145.2 (2) of the Act is repealed.

6 Section 145.2.1 of the Act is repealed.

7 Subsections 176 (9.1) and (9.2) of the Act are repealed.

Commencement

8 (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Schedule is deemed to have come into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 received first reading.

(3)  Sections 1 and 7 come into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 10
FAMILY MEMBERS’ AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF DISABILITY SAVINGS PLAN BENEFICIARIES ACT, 2026

CONTENTS

 

Interpretation

1 Words and expressions used in this Act that are defined in section 146.4 or subsection 248 (1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) have the same meaning as in that Act.

Authority to act on behalf of beneficiary of disability savings plan

2 (1)  If the conditions set out in subsection (2) are met, the following individuals are legally authorized to enter into a disability savings plan under which an adult is the beneficiary or to act as the holder of such a plan:

   1.  A parent of the beneficiary.

   2.  A spouse or common-law partner of the beneficiary who is not living separate and apart from the beneficiary by reason of a breakdown of their marriage or common-law partnership.

   3.  A sibling of the beneficiary.

Conditions

(2)  The following are the conditions mentioned in subsection (1):

   1.  The legal authority under subsection (1) is not being exercised in a way that results in the beneficiary being a beneficiary under more than one disability savings plan, except if the legal authority is being exercised by an individual mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection (1) who has acquired rights as a successor holder of the plan.

   2.  There is no guardian or other individual or any public department, agency or institution that is legally authorized to act on behalf of the beneficiary.

   3.  In the issuer’s opinion after reasonable inquiry, the beneficiary’s contractual competence to enter into a disability savings plan is in doubt.

Issuer’s opinion re contractual competence

(3)  The issuer’s opinion that the beneficiary’s contractual competence to enter into a disability savings plan is in doubt is sufficient to establish that a beneficiary is not contractually competent to enter into a disability savings plan.

Limitation on authority

(4)  If an individual or entity referred to in paragraph 2 of subsection (2) is appointed in respect of the beneficiary, the individual or entity shall notify the issuer without delay of the appointment and the individual mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection (1) who is the holder of the disability savings plan ceases to be legally authorized to act as such under this section.

Cessation of authority

3 An individual mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection 2 (1) who is legally authorized to act as the holder of a disability savings plan under section 2 ceases to be legally authorized to act as the holder if the beneficiary,

  (a)  is determined to be contractually competent by a competent authority under the laws of Ontario or, in the issuer’s opinion after reasonable inquiry, the beneficiary’s contractual competence to enter into a disability savings plan is no longer in doubt; and

  (b)  notifies the issuer that they wish to become the holder of the plan.

Rules in case of dispute

4 If a dispute arises as a result of an issuer’s acceptance of an individual mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection 2 (1) as being legally authorized to enter into a disability savings plan or to act as its holder under section 2, the individual shall make their best efforts to avoid any reduction in the fair market value of the property held by the plan trust, having regard to the reasonable needs of the beneficiary under the plan, and shall do so from the time the dispute arises until the time the dispute is resolved, the beneficiary becomes the holder of the plan or an individual or entity referred to in paragraph 2 of subsection 2 (2) is appointed in respect of the beneficiary.

Issuer’s powers and duties

5 (1)  If an issuer of a disability savings plan enters into the plan with an individual mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection 2 (1) who is legally authorized to enter into the plan and to act as its holder under section 2, the issuer shall,

  (a)  notify the beneficiary under the plan without delay in writing that the issuer has entered into the plan with such an individual; and

  (b)  include in the notification information setting out the limitation on the authority under subsection 2 (4) and the circumstance in which the individual ceases to be legally authorized to act as the holder of the plan under section 3.

Collection and use of information

(2)  An issuer referred to in subsection (1) may collect and use any information provided by the individual that is relevant to the administration and operation of the plan.

Issuer’s liability

6 If, after reasonable inquiry, an issuer of a disability savings plan is of the opinion that an individual’s contractual competence to enter into a disability savings plan is in doubt, no action lies against the issuer for,

  (a)  entering into a plan, under which the individual whose contractual competence is in doubt is the beneficiary, with an individual mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection 2 (1) who was legally authorized to enter into the plan under section 2; or

  (b)  allowing an individual mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection 2 (1) who was legally authorized to enter into the plan under section 2 to acquire rights as the successor holder of the plan.

Commencement

7 The Act set out in this Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Short title

8 The short title of the Act set out in this Schedule is the Family Members’ Authority to Act on Behalf of Disability Savings Plan Beneficiaries Act, 2026.

SCHEDULE 11
FARM IMPLEMENTS ACT

1 The definition of “Minister” in section 1 of the Farm Implements Act is repealed and the following substituted:

“Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness or such other member of the Executive Council to whom responsibility for the administration of this Act may be assigned or transferred under the Executive Council Act; (“ministre”)

2 (1)  Subsection 3 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “a distributor or another dealer registered under this Act” at the end and substituting “another dealer registered under this Act or from a distributor”.

(2)  Subsection 3 (2) of the Act is repealed.

(3)  Subsection 3 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “a dealer or another distributor registered under this Act” at the end and substituting “a dealer registered under this Act or another distributor”.

3 The English version of subsection 4 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” and substituting “their”.

4 Subsection 5 (4) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Fees

(4)  The Minister may, by regulation, establish fees for the Director’s services under subsection (1) or (2) and provide for their collection.

5 Section 6 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Registration of Dealers

Registration

6 (1)  No person shall carry on the business of a dealer unless the person is registered under this Act.

Registration on submitting application

(2)  An applicant for registration as a dealer is entitled to registration on submitting a completed application.

Conditions

(3)  A registration is subject to the prescribed conditions, limitations or restrictions.

Expiry on notifying Director

(4)  A dealer’s registration expires on the day the dealer notifies the Director in writing that they intend to surrender it.

Same

(5)  For greater certainty, subsection (4) applies with respect to certificates that were valid immediately before the day section 5 of Schedule 11 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force.

Distributor registrations revoked

6.1  All distributor registrations that were in force immediately before the day section 5 of Schedule 11 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force are revoked.

6 (1)  Subsection 7 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Suspension, revocation

(1)  Subject to this section and section 8, the Director may suspend or revoke a dealer’s registration if the dealer is in breach of a condition of the registration or a provision of this Act or the regulations.

(2)  Subsection 7 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “refusing to grant a registration or”.

(3)  Subsection 7 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “The applicant or registrant, as the case may be” at the beginning and substituting “The dealer”.

7 (1)  Subsection 8 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Decision and appeal

Notice of decision

(1)  After deciding to suspend or revoke a registration, the Director shall serve notice of the decision, together with written reasons, on the dealer.

(2)  Subsection 8 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “the applicant or registrant, as the case may be, that the person may appeal from” and substituting “the dealer that they may appeal”.

(3)  Subsection 8 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “On the request of any person desiring to appeal, the Director shall furnish the person with” at the beginning and substituting “If requested by a dealer who appeals the decision, the Director shall give the dealer”.

(4)  Subsection 8 (9) of the Act is repealed.

8 Section 9 of the Act is repealed.

9 Section 32 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Serving a document

32 (1)  Any notice, order or other document that is required to be served on a person under this Act is sufficiently served if it is,

  (a)  delivered directly to the person;

  (b)  left at the person’s last known address, in a place that appears to be for incoming mail or with an individual who appears to be 16 years old or older;

  (c)  sent by regular mail to the person’s last known address;

  (d)  sent by commercial courier to the person’s last known address;

  (e)  sent by email to the person’s last known email address;

   (f)  sent by fax to the person’s last known fax number; or

  (g)  given by other means specified by the regulations.

Deemed receipt

(2)  Subject to subsection (4),

  (a)  a document left under clause (1) (b) is deemed to have been received on the first business day after the day it was left;

  (b)  a document sent under clause (1) (c) is deemed to have been received on the fifth business day after the day it was mailed;

  (c)  a document sent under clause (1) (d) is deemed to have been received on the second business day after the day the commercial courier received it;

  (d)  a document sent under clause (1) (e) or (f) is deemed to have been received on the first business day after the day it was sent; and

  (e)  a document given under clause (1) (g) is deemed to have been received on the day specified by the regulations.

Definition

(3)  In subsection (2),

“business day” means a day from Monday to Friday, other than a holiday as defined in section 87 of the Legislation Act, 2006.

Failure to receive document

(4)  Subsection (2) does not apply if the person establishes that they, acting in good faith, did not receive the document or received it on a later day because of a reason beyond the person’s control, including absence, accident, disability or illness.

Exception

(5)  For greater certainty, subsection (1) does not apply to the service of documents on the Tribunal or the Director.

10 (1)  Section 35 of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

(c.1) respecting fees for the purposes of section 5;

(2)  Clause 35 (g) of the Act is repealed.

(3)  Section 35 of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

  (s)  specifying other means of giving a document for the purposes of clause 32 (1) (g), and specifying the day on which a document given by those means is deemed to have been received.

Commencement

11 This Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 12
FUEL TAX ACT

1 (1)  The definitions of “distributor” and “facility” in subsection 1 (1) of the Fuel Tax Act are repealed.

(2)  The definition of “manufacturer” in subsection 1 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “but does not include a person designated by the Minister as a distributor” at the end.

(3)  The definition of “registered dyer” in subsection 1 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “or distributor”.

2 Section 3.0.1 of the Act is repealed.

3 Subsection 3.1 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Collection of tax by collector

(1)  Every collector shall collect the tax imposed by this Act from every person to whom the collector sells fuel.

4 Section 3.2 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Remittance of tax

3.2  (1)  Every collector shall remit to the Minister, at the prescribed times and in the prescribed manner, the tax collectable by the collector.

Same

(2)  Every collector shall remit to the Minister, at the prescribed times and in the prescribed manner, the tax imposed by this Act on fuel in respect of which the collector is the purchaser.

5 Subsection 3.4 (4) of the Act is amended by striking out “a distributor”.

6 (1)  Subsection 3.5 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

(2)  Subsection 3.5 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

7 Subsection 3.6 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

8 Section 3.6.1 of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor” wherever it appears.

9 (1)  Subsection 3.9 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Offence

(1)  Every collector, registered importer, wholesaler or retail dealer who refuses or neglects to collect tax in accordance with this Act is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of an amount equal to 30 cents for each litre of fuel on which the collector, registered importer, wholesaler or retail dealer refused or neglected to collect tax.

(2)  Subsection 3.9 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

10 Subsection 4.11 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “or distributor”.

11 Subsection 4.17 (2.1) of the Act is repealed.

12 Subsection 6 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “or distributor”.

13 Subsection 6.1 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

14 (1)  Subsection 7 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

(2)  Clause 7 (2) (d) of the Act is amended by striking out “other than a distributor”.

(3)  Subsection 7 (2) of the Act is amended by adding “and” at the end of clause (e), by striking out “and” at the end of clause (f) and by repealing clause (g).

15 (1)  Subsection 10 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

(2)  Subsection 10 (3.1) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

16 (1)  Subsection 11 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

(2)  Subsection 11 (4) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

17 Subsection 12 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor” wherever it appears.

18 (1)  Subsection 13 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

(2)  Subsection 13 (4) of the Act is amended by striking out “or distributor” wherever it appears.

19 (1)  Clause 18 (1) (c) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

(2)  Subsection 18 (1.2) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor” wherever it appears.

(3)  Subsection 18 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor” in the portion before clause (a).

20 Paragraph 3 of subsection 22.1 (1) of the Act is repealed.

21 Clause 25 (1) (b) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

22 Clause 25.1 (2) (b) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributor”.

23 (1)  Clause 29 (2) (i) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributors”.

(2)  Clause 29 (2) (s) of the Act is amended by striking out “(2.0.2) (b) and (2.1) (b)” and substituting “and (2.0.2) (b)”.

(3)  Clause 29 (2) (v) of the Act is repealed.

(4)  Subsection 29 (2.1) of the Act is amended by striking out “distributors”.

Commencement

24 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 13
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT

1 The title to Part V of the Highway Traffic Act is repealed and the following substituted:

PART V
VEHICLE DEALERS AND WRECKERS

2 Section 59 of the Act is repealed.

3 (1)  Subsection 60 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Dealing in, wrecking, storing vehicles, etc.

Record-keeping

(1)  Every person who buys, sells, wrecks or otherwise deals in second-hand motor vehicles, trailers or bicycles shall keep the prescribed records.

(2)  Subsections 60 (7) and (8) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

Inquiry or examination by officer

(7)  If, in the opinion of a police officer or officer appointed for carrying out the provisions of this Act, a person engages in any of the following activities, the officer may make such inquiries and conduct such examinations of the person’s affairs as the officer considers appropriate for the enforcement of this Part:

   1.  Buying, selling or otherwise dealing in motor vehicles, trailers or bicycles.

   2.  Wrecking or dismantling motor vehicles, trailers or bicycles.

   3.  Storing motor vehicles, trailers or bicycles.

   4.  Operating a garage or repair shop.

Powers during inquiry or examination

(8)  The officer may, without a warrant, do any of the following things in the course of making an inquiry or conducting an examination under subsection (7):

   1.  Enter and inspect any premises used in connection with the person’s business or activities.

   2.  Photograph the premises.

   3.  Inspect documents or other things that may be relevant to the inquiry or examination.

   4.  Require a person to answer questions about anything that may be relevant to the inquiry or examination.

   5.  Require a person to identify themselves and to provide proof of their identity.

   6.  Require a person to identify the business or businesses operating from the premises and to provide proof of the business identity of the business or businesses.

   7.  Require a person to produce a document, record or other thing and provide whatever assistance is reasonably necessary, including using any data storage, processing or retrieval device or system to produce information.

   8.  In order to produce information, use any data storage, processing or retrieval device or system that is used in connection with the person’s business or activities.

   9.  Remove for examination and copying anything that may be relevant to the inquiry or examination, including removing any data storage, processing or retrieval device in order to produce information.

Entry into dwelling

(9)  The officer shall not enter any part of a premises that is used as a dwelling without a warrant unless the occupant consents to the entry.

Time of entry

(10)  The power to enter and inspect premises without a warrant may be exercised only during the regular business hours of the premises or during daylight hours if there are no regular business hours.

Duty to assist

(11)  If the officer requires a person to answer questions, to produce a document, record or other thing or to provide assistance, the person shall do so in the manner and within the period specified by the officer.

Receipt for things removed

(12)  The officer shall give a receipt for anything that the officer removes for examination or copying and shall promptly return the thing to the person who produced it.

Copy admissible in evidence

(13)  A copy of a record that purports to be certified by the officer as being a true copy of the original is admissible in evidence to the same extent as the original and has the same evidentiary value.

Obstruction

(14)  No person shall hinder, obstruct or interfere with the officer conducting an inquiry or examination, refuse to answer questions on matters relevant to the inquiry or examination or provide the officer with information on matters relevant to the inquiry or examination that the person knows to be false or misleading.

Offence

(15)  Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $20,000.

Submission of records

(16)  A person who engages in any of the activities mentioned in subsection (7) shall submit the prescribed records to the Ministry.

Interpretation

(17)  In this section, “motor vehicle” does not include a motor assisted bicycle.

Regulations

(18)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,

  (a)  prescribing records that shall be kept for the purposes of subsection (1);

  (b)  prescribing records that shall be submitted to the Minister for the purposes of subsection (16);

  (c)  exempting persons, vehicles, or classes of persons or vehicles from this section and prescribing conditions for any such exemption.

4 The French version of subsection 223 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “d’agent de police” and substituting “de constable”.

Commencement

5 This Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 14
METROLINX ACT, 2006

1 The definition of “transportation plan” in subsection 1 (1) of the Metrolinx Act, 2006 is amended by striking out “section 6” and substituting “section 6.1”.

2 Subclause 5 (1) (a) (ii) of the Act is amended by adding “the transportation plan and” before “other provincial”.

3 (1)  Clause 6 (1) (a) of the Act is repealed.

(2)  Subsections 6 (2) to (8) of the Act are repealed.

4 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Transportation Plan

6.1  (1)  The Minister shall make a transportation plan for the regional transportation area.

Requirements for transportation plan

(2)  The transportation plan must,

  (a)  conform with such objectives for the regional transportation area as may be directed by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council;

  (b)  conform with policies and strategies for the province as they apply to the regional transportation area;

  (c)  conform with the prescribed provincial plans and policies;

  (d)  conform with the growth plans prepared and approved under the Places to Grow Act, 2005 applicable in the regional transportation area;

  (e)  promote the integration of local transit systems in the regional transportation area with each other and with the regional transit system;

   (f)  work towards easing congestion and commute times in the regional transportation area;

  (g)  promote transit-supportive development to increase transit ridership and to support the viability and optimization of transit infrastructure; and

  (h)  address such other matters and include such other information as may be prescribed.

Reviews of and amendments to the transportation plan

(3)  The Minister, from time to time, may,

  (a)  conduct a review of the transportation plan; or

  (b)  amend the transportation plan.

Corporation guided by transportation plan

(4)  The Corporation shall be guided in all its decisions and actions by the transportation plan.

Plan available to the public

(5)  The Minister shall ensure that the transportation plan is available for public inspection in such manner as the Minister considers appropriate.

5 Paragraphs 2 and 4 of subsection 11 (3) of the Act are repealed.

6 (1)  Subsection 31.1 (15) of the Act is amended by striking out “including if the Corporation amends the transportation plan for the regional transportation area” at the end.

(2)  Subsection 31.1 (19) of the Act is amended by striking out “statement” and substituting “statement, the transportation plan”.

7 Clause 42 (1) (d) of the Act is amended by striking out “clause 6 (3) (c)” at the end and substituting “clause 6.1 (2) (c)”.

Commencement

8 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 15
MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE ACT, 2011

1 The Act is amended by adding the following sections:

Information re underground infrastructure

13.1  (1)  The Minister may, at any time, order any person or entity to supply such information as the Minister specifies about underground infrastructure that the person or entity owns or operates to the Minister, and the person or entity shall comply with the order within the timelines specified in the order.

Non-application of Legislation Act, 2006, Part III

(2)  Part III of the Legislation Act, 2006 does not apply to an order issued under subsection (1).

Prescribed information

(3)  A prescribed person or entity shall supply the prescribed information about underground infrastructure that the person or entity owns or operates to the Minister within the prescribed timeline or upon the occurrence of the prescribed events.

Confidential information

(4)  A person or entity may be required to supply confidential information to the Minister under subsection (1) or (3).

Compensation

(5)  No compensation is payable to owners or operators of underground infrastructure for the supply of information under this section.

Breach of agreement

(6)  The supply of information to the Minister under this section does not constitute a breach of any agreement.

Use of information

(7)  Information supplied to the Minister under this section may be used only for,

  (a)  the planning, delivery and operation of infrastructure that is wholly or partly owned by the Government or a broader public sector entity;

  (b)  the planning, delivery and operation of priority transit projects as defined in section 2 of the Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 and other prescribed priority infrastructure projects; and

  (c)  other prescribed purposes.

Deeming, ss. 16, 17 and 20 of FIPPA

(8)  Information supplied to the Minister in accordance with this section, and information that would reveal or allow accurate inferences about such information, is deemed,

  (a)  for the purposes of section 16 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, to be information that, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice the defence of Canada or of any foreign state allied or associated with Canada or be injurious to the detection, prevention or suppression of espionage, sabotage or terrorism;

  (b)  for the purposes of section 17 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, to have been supplied to the Minister by the person or entity in confidence, and the information is deemed to be information that, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to result in undue loss or gain to any person, group, committee or financial institution or agency; or

  (c)  for the purposes of section 20 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, to be information that, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to seriously threaten the safety or health of an individual.

Same

(9)  Information described in subsection (8) that the Minister discloses to another institution is deemed,

  (a)  for the purposes of section 16 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, to be information that, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice the defence of Canada or of any foreign state allied or associated with Canada or be injurious to the detection, prevention or suppression of espionage, sabotage or terrorism;

  (b)  for the purposes of section 17 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, to have been supplied in confidence to that institution, and the information is deemed to be information that, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to result in undue loss or gain to any person, group, committee or financial institution or agency; or

  (c)  for the purposes of section 20 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, to be information that, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to seriously threaten the safety or health of an individual.

Definitions

(10)  In this section,

“broader public sector entity” means,

  (a)  a board as defined in subsection 1 (1) of the Education Act,

  (b)  a post-secondary educational institution in Ontario that receives regular operating funding from the Government,

  (c)  a hospital as defined in subsection 1 (1) of the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010, and

  (d)  any other prescribed entity; (“entité du secteur parapublic”)

“institution” has the same meaning as in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. (“institution”)

Administrative penalties

Purpose

13.2  (1)  The purpose of an administrative penalty imposed under this section is,

  (a)  to ensure compliance with subsections 13.1 (1) and (3) of this Act and with the prescribed provisions of the regulations; or

  (b)  to prevent a person or entity from deriving, directly or indirectly, any economic benefit as a result of contravening the prescribed provisions.

Order imposing administrative penalties

(2)  If the Minister is satisfied that a person or entity is contravening or not complying with subsection 13.1 (1) or (3) of this Act or a prescribed provision of a regulation, the Minister may, by order, impose an administrative penalty on the person or entity in accordance with this section and the regulations.

Maximum administrative penalty

(3)  An administrative penalty shall not exceed a maximum of $500,000 or such lesser amount as may be prescribed.

Limitation

(4)  An administrative penalty may only be imposed within the prescribed time period.

No right to be heard

(5)  There is no right to be heard before an order imposing an administrative penalty is made.

Right to review

(6)  A person or entity who receives an order imposing an administrative penalty may request a prescribed individual to review the order by applying to the prescribed individual for a review in a form approved by the Minister,

  (a)  within a prescribed number of days after the order is served; or

  (b)  within a longer period specified by the prescribed individual, if the prescribed individual considers it appropriate in the circumstances to extend the time for applying.

If no review requested

(7)  If a person or entity who has received an order imposing an administrative penalty does not apply for a review under subsection (6), the person or entity shall pay the penalty within 30 days after the day the order was served.

If review requested

(8)  If a person or entity who has received an order imposing an administrative penalty applies for a review under subsection (6), the prescribed individual shall conduct the review in accordance with the regulations.

Stay of order

(9)  A review commenced under subsection (6) operates as a stay of the order until the matter is finally disposed of.

Prescribed individual’s decision

(10)  On a review, the prescribed individual may,

  (a)  find that there was no contravention, and rescind the order imposing the administrative penalty;

  (b)  find that there was a contravention, and affirm the order imposing the administrative penalty; or

  (c)  find that there was a contravention, but that the penalty is excessive in the circumstances or is, by its magnitude, punitive in nature having regard to all the circumstances, and in that case the prescribed individual shall amend the order imposing the administrative penalty by reducing the amount of the penalty.

Decision final

(11)  The prescribed individual’s decision is final.

Payment after review

(12)  If the prescribed individual finds under clause (10) (b) or (c) that there was a contravention, the person or entity shall pay the penalty required by the prescribed individual within 30 days after the day the decision was made.

Enforcement of administrative penalty

(13)  If the person or entity fails to pay the administrative penalty within the time required, the order imposing the administrative penalty or the prescribed individual’s decision, as the case may be, may be filed in the Superior Court of Justice and then may be enforced as if it were an order of that court.

Postjudgment interest

(14)  Section 129 of the Courts of Justice Act applies in respect of an order or decision filed in the Superior Court of Justice under subsection (13) and the date on which the order or decision is filed under subsection (13) is deemed to be the date of the order that is referred to in section 129 of the Courts of Justice Act.

2 Subsection 19 (2) of the Act is amended by adding the following paragraph:

   6.  Section 13.1, other than the power to make orders under subsection 13.1 (1).

3 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Regulations, ss. 13.1 and 13.2

Minister

23 (1)  The Minister may make regulations,

  (a)  prescribing, for the purposes of subsection 13.1 (3), persons, entities and information about underground infrastructure, timelines for the submission of such information and events requiring the submission of such information;

  (b)  prescribing entities for the purposes of the definition of “broader public sector entity” in subsection 13.1 (10).

Lieutenant Governor in Council

(2)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,

  (a)  prescribing priority infrastructure projects for the purposes of clause 13.1 (7) (b) and additional purposes for the purposes of clause 13.1 (7) (c);

  (b)  governing administrative penalties that may be imposed under section 13.2, and, without limiting the foregoing, may make regulations,

         (i)  prescribing provisions of the regulations for the purpose of subsection 13.2 (2),

        (ii)  prescribing individuals for the purpose of subsection 13.2 (6),

       (iii)  prescribing the amount of a penalty, or a method for calculating the amount of a penalty, and prescribing different penalties or ranges of penalties for different types of contraventions or failures to comply and different penalties or ranges of penalties depending on specified criteria,

       (iv)  authorizing the Minister to determine the amount of a penalty, if the amount of the penalty or method for calculating the amount of the penalty is not prescribed, and prescribing criteria that may or must be considered when making an order under subsection 13.2 (2), including prescribing that the criteria may include aggravating or mitigating factors,

        (v)  authorizing that a penalty may be imposed for each day or part of a day on which a contravention or failure to comply continues,

       (vi)  authorizing higher penalties for a second or subsequent contravention or failure to comply,

      (vii)  governing the payment of penalties, including requiring that a penalty be paid before a specified deadline, and authorizing the Minister to approve a plan of periodic payments that extends beyond the deadline,

      (viii)  authorizing the imposition of late payment fees respecting penalties that are not paid before the specified deadline, including graduated late payment fees, and providing that such fees are included as part of the penalty for enforcement purposes,

       (ix)  prescribing a lesser maximum penalty, and the provisions of this Act or the regulations to which the lesser maximum penalty applies,

        (x)  prescribing and governing procedures for making and serving an order under section 13.2, including prescribing rules for service, prescribing the day on which an order is deemed to have been received and providing for service on persons or entities outside of Ontario,

       (xi)  governing the review of an order under subsection 13.2 (6), including,

              (A)  establishing procedures for commencing and conducting a review,

              (B)  establishing time limits for the stages of a review and authorizing the individual prescribed under subclause (ii) to extend any time limit,

              (C)  prescribing that the review must or may be conducted orally, electronically or in writing, or authorizing the individual prescribed under subclause (ii) to make that determination, and

              (D)  establishing criteria to be considered and criteria not to be considered by the individual prescribed under subclause (ii) when determining what decision to make,

      (xii)  prescribing the form and content of orders under section 13.2,

      (xiii)  prescribing circumstances in which a person or entity is not required to pay an administrative penalty, and

     (xiv)  providing for other matters to carry out the purpose of section 13.2.

Commencement

4 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 16
ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD ACT, 1998

1 (1)  Subsection 3 (1) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 is amended by adding the following definition:

“person” includes a municipal corporation, a public utility commission, a partnership and a limited partnership; (“personne”)

(2)  Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Person

(1.1)  For the purposes of the definition of “person” in subsection (1), person is deemed always to have included a partnership and a limited partnership.

2 The Act is amended by adding the following sections:

Directives re capital planning

28.1.1  (1)  The Minister may issue, and the Board shall implement, directives approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council requiring the Board to take such steps as are specified in the directives with respect to the preparation and implementation of capital plans by distributors.

Same

(2)  A directive issued under subsection (1) may require the Board, in the manner specified in the directive, to amend the licence conditions of distributors respecting capital planning, including adding or amending conditions,

  (a)  requiring distributors to prepare and implement capital plans in a specified manner or time; and

  (b)  setting out requirements respecting the contents of capital plans.

Hearings

(3)  A directive may specify whether the Board is to hold a hearing and the circumstances under which a hearing may or may not be held.

.     .     .     .     .

Directives re unit sub-meter providers

28.2.1  (1)  The Minister may issue, and the Board shall implement, directives approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council requiring the Board to take such steps or develop such processes as may be required by the directives to protect the interests of consumers who are customers of unit sub-meter providers with respect to the activities, conduct or practices of those providers.

Directives re licence conditions

(2)  A directive issued under subsection (1) may require the Board, in the manner specified in the directive, to amend conditions in licences issued by the Board that relate to unit sub-meter providers, including the following:

   1.  Customer service standards.

   2.  Billing practices, including billing frequency and bill payment plans.

   3.  Limits on the amounts that a unit sub-meter provider may charge a consumer for the non-payment of a balance due on their account, including late payment charges or penalties, interest on amounts in arrears or any fees or charges related to the collection of unpaid amounts.

   4.  Circumstances in which the amounts described in paragraph 3 may be applied to any balance on a consumer’s account and the frequency with which they may be applied.

   5.  Disconnection and reconnection practices, including periods during which disconnection may not take place with respect to low-volume consumers.

3 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Exemption from licence requirement, distributed energy resource arrangements

57.2  (1)  The Board may by order exempt a person from the requirement to be licensed under this Part in respect of any activity referred to in clause 57 (a), (c), (d), (e) or (f) for a period of no more than five years, if the Board is satisfied that,

  (a)  the exemption relates solely to a specific distributed energy resource arrangement;

  (b)  special circumstances in respect of the arrangement justify the exemption; and

  (c)  having regard to the nature of the arrangement and the risks it presents, requiring compliance with the applicable licensing requirement would provide limited additional benefit for consumer protection or reliability, and broader electricity system interests can be appropriately protected despite the exemption.

Conditions

(2)  In making an order granting an exemption, the Board may impose such conditions on the exemption as are necessary to,

  (a)  ensure that the circumstances that justified the exemption continue to exist; or

  (b)  address a risk arising from the distributed energy resource arrangement.

Same

(3)  Without limiting the generality of subsection (2), the Board may impose conditions,

  (a)  limiting the exemption to specified customers, facilities, properties or participants;

  (b)  requiring the exempted person to give notice to the Board of a material change to the distributed energy resource arrangement; or

  (c)  requiring the exempted person to provide information necessary to verify the exempted person’s compliance with the conditions to which the exemption is subject or any other information the Board may require for the purposes of this section.

Extension

(4)  The Board may by order extend an exemption for further periods of no more than five years each, if it determines that the person continues to be eligible for the exemption under subsection (1).

Amendment, suspension, revocation

(5)  The Board may by order amend, suspend or revoke an exemption granted under subsection (1) or extended under subsection (4) if it determines that,

  (a)  a condition of the exemption has not been complied with;

  (b)  information provided in support of the application was materially incomplete or inaccurate;

  (c)  a material fact relevant to the granting of the exemption has changed; or

  (d)  the basis on which the exemption was granted no longer exists.

Application of exemption

(6)  An exemption under this section applies only with respect to the exempted person’s participation in the distributed energy resource arrangement and for no other purpose.

4 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Requirements and restrictions for certain distributors

58.2  (1)  In this section,

“remuneration” means any form of remuneration, and includes the reimbursement of expenses.

Application

(2)  This section applies with respect to the following distributors:

   1.  A distributor that is a corporation established under section 142 of the Electricity Act, 1998 that is required to make payments under section 93 of that Act.

   2.  Any distributor prescribed by the regulations.

Board composition

(3)  The distributor shall have a board of directors that meets the following requirements respecting its composition:

   1.  The board shall be composed of at least seven and not more than 11 members.

   2.  The board shall not have as a member any individual who is,

          i.  a member of a municipal council in Ontario,

         ii.  an officer or employee of a municipality,

         iii.  a member, director, officer or employee of a local board as defined in subsection 1 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 or subsection 3 (1) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, or

        iv.  a member of a class of individuals prescribed by the regulations.

   3.  The board shall not have as a member any individual who does not meet the criteria prescribed by the regulations made by the Minister, if any.

   4.  The board’s membership, taken as a whole, shall,

          i.  have the experience and expertise reasonably appropriate for the complexity, size and scale of the distributor’s operations, and

         ii.  meet any other requirements respecting the board’s composition that may be prescribed by the regulations made by the Minister.

Geographic restrictions not permitted

(4)  If the regulations made by the Minister so provide, the distributor shall not impose any restrictions or requirements respecting residency or geographic location on board of director member eligibility.

Publication of board membership

(5)  The distributor shall ensure that a current list of the members of its board of directors is available to the public on its website.

Publication of annual remuneration

(6)  The distributor shall, no later than March 31 in each year, publish on its website the remuneration paid to each member of its board of directors in the previous year.

Requirement to establish policies

(7)  The distributor shall establish and maintain a policy respecting each of the following matters:

   1.  The distributor’s declaration and payment of dividends to its shareholders.

   2.  The criteria applied in recruiting and retaining members of its board of directors, taking into account any regulations made for the purposes of paragraph 3 or subparagraph 4 ii of subsection (3) or of subsection (4).

Required information

(8)  A policy shall contain the information prescribed by the regulations made by the Minister, if any.

Publication of policies

(9)  The distributor shall ensure that the current version of each policy is available to the public on its website.

Municipal board participant

(10)  On the request of a municipality that directly or indirectly owns shares in the distributor, the distributor shall ensure that its board of directors appoints, as a board participant, the individual specified by the municipality under subsection (11).

Same

(11)  A municipality may specify any individual who is,

  (a)  a member of the municipality’s municipal council;

  (b)  an officer or employee of the municipality; or

  (c)  a member, director, officer or employee of a local board, as defined in subsection 1 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 or subsection 3 (1) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, of the municipality.

Role of municipal board participant

(12)  A participant appointed under subsection (10) has the following entitlements and, for greater certainty, the entitlements extend to all in-camera meetings of the board of directors:

   1.  To receive notice of all board meetings.

   2.  To receive all documents provided to the members of the board in connection with all board meetings.

   3.  To be present and participate throughout all board meetings, except that the participant shall not be permitted to,

          i.  vote on any matter put before the board, or

         ii.  participate in the discussion of any matter that may be prescribed by the regulations made by the Minister.

No remuneration

(13)  The distributor shall ensure that no remuneration is payable to a participant appointed under subsection (10) for their work in that capacity.

No compensation

(14)  No person is entitled to any compensation or any other remedy or relief for the extinguishment, modification or termination of rights under this section.

Transition

(15)  This section applies with respect to a member of a distributor’s board of directors even if the member joined the board before,

  (a)  the day section 4 of Schedule 16 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force; or

  (b)  in the case of a distributor prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 2 of subsection (2), the day on which the provision prescribing the distributor came into force.

Conflict

(16)  In the event of a conflict between this section and another Act, a regulation made under another Act, articles of incorporation or of amalgamation or corporate by-laws or other corporate instrument, this section prevails.

5 Subsection 59 (9) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Expiry of orders

(9)  An order made under this section expires six months after the day it is made, unless the Board orders that it be extended.

Expiry of licences

(9.1)  A licence issued under this section expires six months after the day it is issued or such longer period as the Board may specify that does not exceed two years after the day of issuance.

Licence renewal

(9.2)  A licence issued under this section may be renewed for one or more additional periods of up to two years.

6 Clause 70 (2) (d) of the Act is amended by adding the following subclause:

     (ii.2)  a unit sub-meter provider as such conduct relates to,

              (A)  amounts that a unit sub-meter provider may charge a consumer for the non-payment of a balance due on their account, including late payment charges or penalties, interest on amounts in arrears or any fees or charges related to the collection of unpaid amounts, and

              (B)  the circumstances in which the amounts described in sub-subclause (A) may be applied to any balance on a consumer’s account and the frequency with which they may be applied.

7 Section 71 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Exception

(5)  A distributor may carry on business activities providing services for one or more other distributors if the conditions established in a code issued under section 70.1 for the purposes of this subsection are met.

8 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Procurement requirements, distributors

73.1  (1)  If the regulations so provide, the distributor or distributors identified in the regulations shall conduct a procurement process for the goods or services set out in the regulations, and shall do so in accordance with the regulations.

Deferral or variance accounts, compliance with regulations

(2)  A distributor that is required by a regulation made for the purposes of subsection (1) to conduct a procurement process may establish a deferral or variance account that records,

  (a)  the costs incurred by the distributor as a result of complying with the regulation; and

  (b)  the interest costs incurred on the principal balance of the account, as the Board may direct.

Deferral or variance accounts, certain voluntary measures

(3)  If a distributor chooses to conduct a procurement process that gives preference to goods made, or services provided, in Ontario or Canada, the distributor may establish a deferral or variance account that records,

  (a)  the costs incurred by the distributor as a result of choosing to conduct such a procurement process; and

  (b)  the interest costs incurred on the principal balance of the account, as the Board may direct.

Board rate orders

(4)  Subject to subsection (5), the Board shall, from time to time or as prescribed by the regulations, make an order under section 78 that determines whether and how amounts recorded in an account referred to in subsection (2) or (3) shall be reflected in rates approved or fixed under that section.

Same

(5)  If the regulations so provide, the Board shall make an order under section 78 that ensures that costs recorded in an account referred to in subsection (2) or (3) are recovered by the distributor within the period of time prescribed by the regulations, if the Board is satisfied that,

  (a)  the costs were accurately recorded; and

  (b)  any requirements specified by the regulations are met.

Same

(6)  The making of an order referred to in subsection (4) or (5) is subject to any requirements specified by the regulations.

Non-application, Discriminatory Business Practices Act

(7)  The Discriminatory Business Practices Act does not apply to anything done or not done in accordance with this section or a regulation made for the purposes of this section.

9 (1)  Section 79.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Cost recovery for eligible investments

Definitions

(0.1)  In this section,

“eligible investment” means, in respect of a distributor,

  (a)  an investment by the distributor in the construction, expansion or reinforcement of a distribution line, transformer, plant or equipment used for conveying electricity at voltages of 50 kilovolts or less that meets the criteria prescribed by the regulations, if it is made for the purpose of connecting or enabling the connection of a qualifying generation facility to the distributor’s distribution system, or

  (b)  any investment by the distributor in their distribution system that is prescribed by the regulations, if it results in a benefit to the distribution system of one or more other distributors; (“investissement admissible”)

“qualifying generation facility” means a generation facility that meets the criteria prescribed by the regulations. (“installation de production admissible”)

(2)  Subsection 79.1 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “for the purpose of connecting or enabling the connection of a qualifying generation facility to its distribution system”.

(3)  Subsection 79.1 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “referred to in subsection (1)” at the end.

(4)  Subsection 79.1 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “All consumers are required” at the beginning and substituting “All consumers, or such classes of consumers as are prescribed by the regulations, are required”.

(5)  Clauses 79.1 (4) (a) to (c) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

  (a)  respecting anything that, under this section, may be done by regulation;

  (b)  providing that certain classes of consumers are required to contribute towards the amount of compensation only in respect of certain distributors;

(6)  Subsection 79.1 (5) of the Act is repealed.

10 Section 79.17 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Electricity invoice requirements

79.17  (1)  In this section,

“invoice” means an invoice in respect of electricity that is issued to consumers who are members of a class of consumers prescribed by the regulations.

Requirements specified by regulation

(2)  Every distributor, unit sub-meter provider or other person prescribed by the regulations who issues an invoice shall ensure that the invoice and any accompanying or directly connected document or communication,

  (a)  meet the requirements specified by the regulations; and

  (b)  are provided to consumers in accordance with the regulations, if any.

Requirements specified by Minister

(3)  The Minister may require that an invoice issued by a distributor, unit sub-meter provider or other person prescribed by the regulations be in a form approved by the Minister, subject to any regulations made for the purposes of subsection (2).

Errors

(4)  No defect, error or omission in relation to a requirement of this section invalidates any proceeding for the recovery of the amount payable under an invoice.

11 (1)  Subsection 88 (1) of the Act is amended by adding the following clauses:

(a.0.1.1)       providing for conditions or restrictions on the Board’s power to make orders under section 57.2, including limiting the number of times an exemption may be extended under subsection 57.2 (4);

.     .     .     .     .

(g.3.3) for the purposes of section 73.1,

         (i)  requiring one or more distributors to conduct a procurement process for goods or services that are specified or described in the regulations and governing the procurement process, including requiring,

              (A)  that two or more distributors conduct a joint procurement process, and

              (B)  that preference be given to goods made, or services provided, in Ontario or Canada,

        (ii)  governing, for the purposes of subclause (i) and subsection 73.1 (3), the determination of whether a good is made, or a service provided, in Ontario or Canada,

       (iii)  requiring the Board to make an order described in subsection 73.1 (5), and prescribing a time period and specifying requirements for the purposes of that subsection, and

       (iv)  respecting the making of orders by the Board for the purposes of subsection 73.1 (4) or (5);

(2)  Clauses 88 (1) (z.11) and (z.12) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

(z.11) for the purposes of section 79.17,

         (i)  respecting anything that, under that section, may be done by regulation,

        (ii)  providing that certain information or statements respecting electricity must or may be included in or with an invoice when it is issued to a consumer, or in any accompanying or directly connected document or communication that is provided by the distributor, unit sub-meter provider or other person to a consumer,

       (iii)  specifying other requirements that an invoice or any accompanying or directly connected document or communication must meet, including respecting form or format, and

       (iv)  governing the provision of invoices or any accompanying or directly connected documents or communications.

(3)  Section 88 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(1.3)  A regulation made under clause (1) (z.11) may authorize the Minister to determine a matter that may be prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under that clause.

(4)  Subsection 88 (2.3) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Regulations, Minister

(2.3)  The Minister may make regulations,

  (a)  providing for anything that, in section 58.2, may be prescribed or done by regulations made by the Minister;

  (b)  providing for amounts and classes of amounts a transmitter or distributor is required to pay that shall not be included in approving or fixing rates for the transmission or distribution of electricity, for the purposes of paragraph 2 of subsection 78 (5).

12 The definition of “interconnection” in section 89 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

“interconnection” means the plant, equipment and apparatus linking adjacent transmission systems or distribution systems; (“interconnexion”)

13 Paragraph 8 of subsection 107 (1) of the Act is amended by adding “or 57.2” at the end.

14 (1)  Clause 134 (1) (a) of the Act is amended by striking out “73” and substituting “73, 73.1”.

(2)  Clause 134 (1) (b) of the Act is amended by striking out “43.1 or 73” and substituting “43.1, 73 or 73.1”.

City of Toronto Act, 2006

15 Section 154 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 is amended by adding the following subsections:

Same

(1.1)  Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), a regulation made under that subsection may impose any requirements or restrictions respecting a corporation that are or may be imposed on distributors under section 58.2 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.

Same, no compensation

(1.2)  No person is entitled to any compensation or any other remedy or relief for the extinguishment, modification or termination of rights under a regulation made under subsection (1).

Same, retrospective application

(1.3)  If it so provides, a regulation made under subsection (1) applies with respect to a member of a corporation’s board of directors even if the member joined the board before the day on which the regulation begins to apply to the corporation.

Municipal Act, 2001

16 Section 203 of the Municipal Act, 2001 is amended by adding the following subsections:

Same

(4.1)  Without limiting the generality of subsection (4), a regulation made under that subsection may impose any requirements or restrictions respecting a corporation that are or may be imposed on distributors under section 58.2 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.

Same, no compensation

(4.2)  No person is entitled to any compensation or any other remedy or relief for the extinguishment, modification or termination of rights under a regulation made under subsection (4).

Same, retrospective application

(4.3)  If it so provides, a regulation made under subsection (4) applies with respect to a member of a corporation’s board of directors even if the member joined the board before the day on which the regulation begins to apply to the corporation.

Commencement

17 (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

(2)  Section 4 comes into force on January 1, 2027 or, if the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent after January 1, 2027, is deemed to have come into force on January 1, 2027.

(3)  Section 9 comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

(4)  Subsection 11 (4) and sections 15 and 16 come into force on the later of January 1, 2027 and the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 17
ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT

1 (1)  The definition of “alter” in section 1 of the Ontario Heritage Act is repealed.

(2)  Section 1 of the Act is amended by adding the following definitions:

“former licensee” means a person who was licensed under Part VI at any time and is no longer the holder of such a license; (“ancien titulaire de licence”)

“Ministry” means the ministry of the Minister; (“ministère”)

(3)  The definition of “former licensee” in section 1 of the Act, as enacted by subsection (2), is amended by striking out “and is no longer the holder of such a license” at the end.

(4)  Section 1 of the Act is amended by adding the following definition:

“qualified person” means a person who meets the qualifications and any other criteria prescribed by the Minister for the purposes of this definition; (“personne compétente”)

2 The Act is amended by adding the following section immediately before the heading to Part II:

Existing Aboriginal and treaty rights

3.1  For greater certainty, nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada as recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

3 The heading to Part VI of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

PART VI
ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSERVATION

4 Section 47 of the Act is amended by adding the following definitions:

“prescribed process” means the process prescribed by the Minister for the purposes of this definition; (“processus prescrit”)

“restricted activity” means an activity set out in paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection 48 (1). (“activité restreinte”)

5 Sections 48 to 51 of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

Requirements re restricted activities

48 (1)  No person shall carry out any of the following activities, or cause or permit someone to carry out any of the following activities, unless the person is authorized to do so in accordance with a registration under section 49 or an authorization under section 50:

   1.  Conduct an archaeological assessment.

   2.  Knowing that a site is a marine or other archaeological site, alter the site or its protective buffer or remove an artifact or any other physical evidence of past human use or activity from the site.

   3.  Do any of the following with respect to a prescribed marine archaeological site:

          i.  Dive within 500 metres of the site or within any other distance of the site as may be prescribed.

         ii.  Operate within 500 metres of the site, or within any other distance of the site as may be prescribed, any type of submersible vehicle, including a remotely operated vehicle, autonomous underwater vehicle or submarine.

         iii.  Operate within 500 metres of the site, or within any other distance of the site as may be prescribed, any type of equipment, machine, device or thing capable of being used to conduct a survey, whether towed or not, including a side scan sonar or a camera.

Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002

(2)  Subsection (1) does not require a person to register under section 49 or obtain an authorization under section 50 for the purposes of complying with section 94 or 96 of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 or any prescribed provision of that Act or the regulations made under that Act.

Qualified persons

(3)  No person shall carry out a restricted activity under a registration under section 49 or an authorization under section 50 unless they are a qualified person.

Minister’s policies, etc.

(4)  The Minister may issue policies, directions, requirements or standards respecting registrations under section 49 and authorizations under section 50.

Legislation Act, 2006

(5)  Part III (Regulations) of the Legislation Act, 2006 does not apply to a policy, direction, requirement or standard referred to in subsection (4).

Compliance

(6)  No person shall carry out a restricted activity, or cause or permit a restricted activity to be carried out, under a registration under section 49 or an authorization under section 50 except in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister and any policies, directions, requirements and standards issued under subsection (4).

Activities under other Acts, etc.

(7)  Any person who is required to carry out a restricted activity under a provision of any other Act or regulation, or instrument under any other Act, other than a provision of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 or a regulation or instrument made under that Act, shall do so in accordance with a registration under section 49 or an authorization under section 50.

Registrations — exploratory archaeology

49 (1)  A person may, in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister, register a restricted activity for the purposes of exploratory archaeology on a property if the person determines, in accordance with the prescribed process,

  (a)  that the property exhibits archaeological potential; and

  (b)  that there is no known archaeological site of further cultural heritage value or interest on the property.

Exception — prescribed circumstances

(2)  Despite subsection (1), a person is not eligible to register a restricted activity for the purposes of exploratory archaeology on a property under subsection (1), and may instead apply for an authorization under section 50 in respect of the restricted activity, if any of the following circumstances apply:

   1.  The restricted activity would occur on a property,

          i.  that is designated under section 52, or

         ii.  in respect of which a notice of intention to designate has been served and published under subsection 52 (2) and has not been withdrawn.

   2.  The restricted activity is, in whole or in part, a marine archaeological assessment.

   3.  The circumstances prescribed by the Minister.

Attestation

(3)  A registration shall include an attestation from the person registering the restricted activity that the conditions set out in clauses (1) (a) and (b) are satisfied.

Conditions, Minister

(4)  The Minister may impose conditions on a registration.

Prescribed conditions

(5)  In addition to any conditions imposed under subsection (4), a registration is subject to any conditions prescribed by the Minister.

Person to comply with conditions

(6)  A person who registers shall comply with any conditions to which the registration is subject.

Notification required

(7)  A person shall not commence a restricted activity, or cause or permit a restricted activity to be commenced, under this section until the person has been notified by the Ministry that the registration is complete.

Expiry of registration

(8)  A registration expires on,

  (a)  the day prescribed by the Minister, if any; or

  (b)  if no day is prescribed, the day specified by the Minister in the registration.

Completion of assessment

(9)  The restricted activity shall be completed no later than the day the registration expires.

Minister’s powers

(10)  The Minister may, in accordance with the regulations,

  (a)  amend a registration, including by imposing conditions on the registration in addition to any that are prescribed under subsection (5);

  (b)  revoke, suspend or reinstate a registration; and

  (c)  change the day on which a registration expires to a later day.

Authorizations — advanced archaeology

50 (1)  A person may, in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister, apply to the Minister for an authorization for a restricted activity for the purposes of advanced archaeology on a property.

Minister may require information

(2)  The Minister may require an applicant to submit, in addition to any information required under a regulation referred to in subsection (1), any data, reports, documents or other information that the Minister determines are necessary to determine whether to issue an authorization.

Minister’s powers

(3)  After considering an application for an authorization, the Minister may, in accordance with the regulations, if any,

  (a)  issue an authorization as requested;

  (b)  issue an authorization that varies from the authorization requested, including by varying the scope of the restricted activity, varying the work involved in the restricted activity or authorizing a restricted activity on only a portion of the property; or

  (c)  refuse to issue an authorization.

Conditions, Minister

(4)  If the Minister issues an authorization, the Minister may impose conditions on the authorization.

Prescribed conditions

(5)  In addition to any conditions imposed under subsection (4), an authorization is subject to any conditions prescribed by the Minister.

Notice of refusal

(6)  If the Minister refuses to issue an authorization, the Minister shall provide notice of the refusal to the applicant in accordance with the regulations, if any.

Commencement of work

(7)  A person shall not commence a restricted activity, or cause or permit a restricted activity to be commenced, under this section until the person has been issued an authorization with respect to that restricted activity.

Compliance with conditions

(8)  A person to whom an authorization is issued shall comply with any conditions to which the authorization is subject.

Expiry of authorization

(9)  An authorization expires on,

  (a)  the day prescribed by the Minister, if any; or

  (b)  if no day is prescribed, the day specified by the Minister in the authorization.

Completion of assessment

(10)  The restricted activity shall be completed no later than the day the authorization expires.

Minister’s powers

(11)  The Minister may, in accordance with the regulations,

  (a)  amend an authorization, including by imposing conditions on the authorization or by amending or revoking conditions on the authorization other than conditions prescribed under subsection (5);

  (b)  revoke, suspend or reinstate an authorization;

  (c)  change the day on which an authorization expires to a later day.

Appeal to Tribunal

(12)  If the Minister refuses to issue an authorization, the applicant may appeal the refusal to the Tribunal by giving the Tribunal, no later than 15 days after the day the notice of refusal is provided under subsection (6), a notice of appeal setting out their objection to the refusal.

Powers of Tribunal

(13)  The Tribunal may,

  (a)  confirm the refusal; or

  (b)  issue an authorization, with or without any conditions, and may issue an authorization that varies from the authorization requested, including by varying the scope of the restricted activity, varying the work involved in the restricted activity or authorizing a restricted activity on only a portion of the property.

Valid until specified date or revocation

(14)  An authorization under this section is valid until it expires under subsection (9) or until such earlier time as the Minister may revoke it.

Extensions, renewals

(15)  A person who is issued an authorization under this section may, in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister, apply to the Minister for an extension or renewal of the authorization.

Registration or authorization not authority to enter

51 A registration under section 49 or an authorization under section 50 does not authorize the person who registered or was issued an authorization, or a qualified person carrying out a restricted activity under the registration or authorization, to enter on any property.

Site forms

51.0.1  If a restricted activity carried out under a registration under section 49 or an authorization under section 50 results in the identification of an archaeological site, the person who registered or was issued an authorization shall complete a site form in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister and submit it to the Ministry in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister no later than,

  (a)  the day prescribed by the Minister, if any; or

  (b)  if no day is prescribed, the day specified by the Minister in the registration or authorization.

Reports

51.0.2  (1)  A person who registered under section 49 or was issued an authorization under section 50 shall complete and submit a report containing,

  (a)  details of any archaeological assessment conducted under the registration or the authorization, as the case may be; and

  (b)  any other information that the Minister may require relating to a restricted activity carried out under the registration or authorization, as the case may be, or a requirement under this Part or the regulations.

Same

(2)  A report under subsection (1) shall be submitted to the Minister in the form and manner required by the Minister.

Exclusion of information

(3)  The Minister may require that information be excluded from a report under subsection (1).

Deadline

(4)  A report under subsection (1) shall be submitted no later than,

  (a)  the day prescribed by the Minister, if any; or

  (b)  if no day is prescribed, the day specified by the Minister in the registration or authorization.

6 (1)  Subsection 51.2 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “or” at the end of clause (a), by adding “or” at the end of clause (b) and by adding the following clause:

  (c)  ensuring that a former licensee,

         (i)  complied with this Act, the regulations and the terms and conditions of their licence while they were licensed, or

        (ii)  is complying with requirements under this Act and the regulations that apply to former licensees.

(2)  Subsection 51.2 (1) of the Act, as amended by subsection (1), is repealed and the following substituted:

Inspection

(1)  An inspector may conduct an inspection for the following purposes:

   1.  Determining if any of the following persons complied with or are complying with this Part or any provision of the regulations that is prescribed by the Minister:

          i.  Former licensees.

         ii.  Persons prescribed by the Minister.

         iii.  Qualified persons.

        iv.  Persons who have registered under section 49.

         v.  Persons who have applied for or been issued an authorization under section 50.

        vi.  Persons carrying out a restricted activity or causing or permitting someone to carry out a restricted activity for which a registration under section 49 or authorization under section 50 is required.

        vii.  Persons who are exempt under section 66.0.1.

   2.  Assessing whether any artifacts or archaeological sites are on any land, or land under water, in the Province.

(3)  Subsection 51.2 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “clause (1) (b)” and substituting “paragraph 2 of subsection (1)”.

(4)  Subsection 51.2 (3) of the Act is amended by,

  (a)  striking out “archaeological fieldwork” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “a restricted activity”; and

  (b)  striking out “clause (1) (b)” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “paragraph 2 of subsection (1)”.

(5)  Paragraph 1 of subsection 51.2 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “on which a licensee” and substituting “where a qualified person”.

(6)  Paragraph 2 of subsection 51.2 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “licensee” and substituting “qualified person”.

(7)  Subsection 51.2 (3) of the Act is amended by adding the following paragraph:

2.1  An archaeological site or any other land, or land under water, on which a restricted activity is no longer being carried out but was carried out under a registration under section 49 or an authorization under section 50.

(8)  Paragraph 4 of subsection 51.2 (3) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

   4.  The business premises of a licensee or former licensee.

(9)  Paragraph 4 of subsection 51.2 (3) of the Act, as re-enacted by subsection (8), is repealed and the following substituted:

   4.  The business premises of,

          i.  a former licensee,

         ii.  a qualified person, or

         iii.  a person who has registered under section 49 or been issued an authorization under section 50.

(10)  Subsection 51.2 (3) of the Act is amended by adding the following paragraph:

   7.  Property in respect of which a notification of exemption has been submitted under subsection 66.0.1 (3).

(11)  Section 51.2 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Inspector may enter private property

(3.1)  An inspector who may enter and inspect a place under subsection (3) may enter and pass through private property for the purpose of reaching that place.

(12)  Subsection 51.2 (4) of the Act is amended by adding “or (3.1)” after “subsection (3)”.

(13)  Clauses 51.2 (5) (a) to (c) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

  (a)  examine anything that relates to the inspection;

  (b)  require the production of any artifacts, drawings, field notes, specifications, licences, documents, records, reports, videos or other visual recordings, photographs, data or any other material or thing in any form that is relevant to the inspection and examine, audit, record or copy such material or things by any method;

  (c)  remove from the place, for the purpose of making copies or extracts, any material or thing referred to in clause (b);

(14)  Clause 51.2 (5) (h) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

  (h)  make reasonable inquiries of any person, orally or in writing;

(15)  Clauses 51.2 (5) (i) of the Act is amended by striking out “ongoing archaeological fieldwork being carried out on an archaeological site or on other lands on which archaeological fieldwork is carried out” and substituting “ongoing restricted activities being carried out on an archaeological site or on other lands on which restricted activities are carried out”.

(16)  Subsection 51.2 (5) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of clause (i) and by adding the following clauses:

  (k)  use remote inspection methods; and

   (l)  use alternative site access methods where necessary to conduct an inspection, such as accessing a land-based archaeological site by water.

(17)  Clause 51.2 (9) (b) of the Act is amended by striking out “archaeological fieldwork” and substituting “a restricted activity”.

7 (1)  Subsection 51.3 (1) of the Act is amended by striking “or” at the end of clause (a) and by adding the following clause:

(a.1) a former licensee contravened or failed to comply with,

         (i)  the Act or the regulations while they were licensed or at a later time, or

        (ii)  the terms and conditions of the licence while they were licensed; or

(2)  Subsection 51.3 (1) of the Act, as amended by subsection (1), is repealed and the following substituted:

Report by inspector

(1)  An inspector shall prepare a report if the inspector believes that,

  (a)  in the case of an inspection under paragraph 1 of subsection 51.2 (1), a person referred to in that paragraph has failed to comply with this Part or a provision of the regulations that is prescribed by the Minister; or

  (b)  in the case of an inspection under paragraph 2 of subsection 51.2 (1),

         (i)  an artifact or archaeological site is on land, or land under water, in the Province,

        (ii)  an artifact has been removed from land, or land under water, in the Province, or

       (iii)  an archaeological site on land, or land under water, in the Province has been altered.

(3)  Subsection 51.3 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “the licensee or” and substituting “the person referred to in subsection (1) or the”.

8 (1)  Subsection 52 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Designation process

(1)  If the Minister is of the opinion that a property that contains an archaeological site requires protection and should be designated as a significant site, they shall give notice of intention to designate in accordance with subsection (2).

(2)  Subsection 52 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of clause (a), by adding “and” at the end of clause (b) and by adding the following clause:

  (c)  served on the Trust.

(3)  Subsection 52 (3) of the Act is amended by adding “and” at the end of clause (b) and by repealing clause (c).

(4)  Clause 52 (5) (a) of the Act is amended by striking out “for the period provided for in the notice of intention referred to in subsection (3)” in the portion before subclause (i).

(5)  Subclause 52 (5) (a) (ii) of the Act is amended by striking out “the owner and on the clerk of the municipality in which the property is situate” at the end and substituting “the owner, on the clerk of the municipality in which the property is situate and on the Trust”.

(6)  Clause 52 (13) (a) of the Act is amended by striking out “for the period provided for in the notice of intention referred to in subsection (3)” in the portion before subclause (i).

(7)  Subclause 52 (13) (a) (ii) of the Act is amended by striking out “the owner and on the clerk of the municipality in which the property is situate” at the end and substituting “the owner, on the clerk of the municipality in which the property is situate and on the Trust”.

(8)  Subsection 52 (14) of the Act is amended by striking out “clerk of the municipality” and substituting “Minister”.

(9)  Section 52 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Designation until revocation

(16)  A designation of property under this section shall remain in effect until such time as the Minister revokes the order designating the property.

9 (1)  Section 54 of the Act is amended by striking out “after consultation with the Trust” in the portion before clause (a).

(2)  Section 54 of the Act is amended by adding the following clause:

(b.1) cause a copy of the revoking order to be served on the Trust;

10 (1)  Subsection 55 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “after consultation with the Trust” in the portion before clause (a).

(2)  Clause 55 (2) (b) of the Act is amended by adding the following subclause:

      (i.1)  a copy of the order to be served on the Trust,

(3)  Clause 55 (11) (b) of the Act is amended by adding the following subclause:

      (i.1)  a copy of the order to be served on the Trust,

11 Sections 56 to 61 of the Act are repealed.

12 (1)  Subsection 61.1 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Contents of order

(2)  The assessment order shall direct that no person shall alter or remove an artifact or any other physical evidence of past human use or activity from the land, or land under water, until an archaeological assessment has been completed in accordance with this Part.

(2)  Section 61.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

No appeal

(5)  A decision made by the Minister to issue an assessment order under this section is final.

13 (1)  Subsection 62 (1) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Stop order

(1)  If the Minister is of the opinion that land, or land under water, in the Province may contain an artifact or archaeological site that is likely to be altered, damaged or destroyed by a person, the Minister may issue to the person a stop order prohibiting the person from doing anything that could alter, damage or destroy the artifact or archaeological site for a period of no longer than 180 days, and within that period the Minister, or any person authorized by the Minister in writing, may examine the land and remove or salvage artifacts from the land.

Same

(1.1)  For greater certainty, the Minister may issue a stop order under subsection (1) if the artifact or archaeological site has already been altered, damaged or partially destroyed and the Minister is of the opinion that it is likely to be further altered, damaged or destroyed.

(2)  Subsection 62 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Compensation

(2)  If a stop order is made by the Minister under subsection (1) and no agreement as to payment of compensation has been reached by the Minister and the person to whom the stop order is issued, the Minister may direct that the person be compensated in accordance with the regulations.

(3)  Section 62 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

No appeal

(5)  A decision made by the Minister to issue a stop order under this section is final.

14 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Compliance orders

62.1  (1)  If an individual appointed under subsection (2) believes on reasonable grounds that a person is contravening or failing to comply with, or has contravened or failed to comply with, a provision of this Part or a provision of the regulations that is prescribed by the Minister, the individual may issue an order requiring the person to do anything or refrain from doing anything so that the person no longer contravenes or fails to comply with the provision.

Appointments

(2)  The Minister may appoint individuals for the purposes of issuing orders under subsection (1).

Content of order

(3)  An order issued under subsection (1) shall include,

  (a)  the deadline by which the person shall comply with the order; and

  (b)  any information prescribed by the Minister.

Service

(4)  Subject to any restrictions or modifications prescribed by the Minister,

  (a)  the order shall be served on the person using a method set out in subsection 67 (1); and

  (b)  service is effective on the relevant day set out in section 67.

Compliance

(5)  A person to whom an order under subsection (1) is directed shall comply with the order by the deadline set out in the order.

Amendment or revocation of order

(6)  If an individual appointed under subsection (2) issues an order under subsection (1), they may,

  (a)  amend the order until such time as a review with respect to the order has been commenced under subsection (7); and

  (b)  revoke the order at any time.

Review

(7)  A person to whom an order under subsection (1) is issued may apply for a review of the order to a prescribed person in accordance with the regulations no later than 15 days after the day the order is issued.

Same

(8)  A review under subsection (7) shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations.

Not stay on review

(9)  A review commenced under subsection (7) does not operate as a stay of the order.

SPPA does not apply

(10)  The Statutory Powers Procedure Act does not apply with respect to a review under subsection (7).

Prescribed person’s powers

(11)  The prescribed person may confirm, amend or revoke the order.

Appeal

(12)  If the prescribed person confirms or amends the order, the person to whom the order is directed may appeal the prescribed person’s decision to the Tribunal no later than 15 days after the day the prescribed person’s decision is issued.

Same

(13)  The Tribunal may confirm the prescribed person’s decision or may amend or revoke the order issued under subsection (1).

Not stay on appeal

(14)  An appeal commenced under subsection (12) does not operate as a stay of the order unless the Tribunal orders otherwise.

15 Section 63 of the Act is repealed.

16 Subsection 64 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “investigation” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “inspection”.

17 Section 65 of the Act is repealed.

18 Section 65.1 of the Act is repealed.

19 (1)  Subsection 66 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “under the authority of a licence or a permit” and substituting “in circumstances prescribed by the Minister”.

(2)  Subsection 66 (2) of the Act is amended by striking out “Any artifact or any material in an archaeological collection that is removed from an archaeological site and that is in the possession of a person who is not a licensee under this Part, or who is a licensee but is acting in contravention of their licence, may be seized” at the beginning and substituting “Any artifact or any material in an archaeological collection that is removed from an archaeological site may, in circumstances prescribed by the Minister, be seized”.

20 (1)  The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Exemption from requirement to conduct archaeological assessment

66.0.1  (1)  Any requirement to conduct an archaeological assessment described in subsection (2) does not apply to a person with respect to an undertaking on a property if the following conditions are satisfied:

   1.  The person completes the prescribed process.

   2.  The prescribed process indicates,

          i.  the property exhibits archaeological potential, and

         ii.  there is no known archaeological site on the property.

   3.  The following criteria are satisfied:

          i.  The property is a residential property or a type of property prescribed by the Minister.

         ii.  The undertaking is the installation or construction of a fence, deck, paved driveway or concrete slab on grade or is an undertaking prescribed by the Minister.

         iii.  The undertaking satisfies any requirements prescribed by the Minister.

Requirements

(2)  The requirements referred to in subsection (1) are any requirements to conduct an archaeological assessment under a provision of any other Act or regulation, or instrument under any other Act, other than a provision of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 or a regulation or instrument made under that Act.

Notification of exemption

(3)  A person to whom an exemption under subsection (1) applies shall notify the Ministry of the exemption in accordance with any regulations made by the Minister.

Cessation of exemption

(4)  If a person to whom an exemption under subsection (1) applies becomes aware of an artifact or marine or other archaeological site existing on the property in respect of which the exemption applies,

  (a)  the exemption ceases to apply; and

  (b)  the person shall notify the Ministry,

         (i)  in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister, if any, or

        (ii)  if no such regulations are made, in such other way as may be permitted by the Minister.

(2)  Section 66.0.1 of the Act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following subsection:

Same

(1.1)  Any requirement to conduct an archaeological assessment described in subsection (2) does not apply to a person with respect to a property if the following conditions are satisfied:

   1.  The person completes the prescribed process.

   2.  The prescribed process indicates that the property exhibits insufficient archaeological potential to warrant an archaeological assessment.

(3)  Subsections 66.0.1 (2) of the Act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by striking out “subsection (1)” and substituting in “subsections (1) and (1.1)”.

(4)  Subsections 66.0.1 (3) of the Act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by striking out “subsection (1)” and substituting in “subsection (1) or (1.1)”.

(5)  Subsections 66.0.1 (4) of the Act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by striking out “subsection (1)” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “subsection (1) or (1.1)”.

21 The Act is amended by adding the following sections immediately before the heading to Part VI.1:

Electronic systems

66.2.1  The Minister shall, in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister, establish, maintain and operate one or more electronic systems for the following purposes:

   1.  To allow persons to register under section 49 or apply for an authorization under section 50.

   2.  To allow persons to complete and submit site forms for the purposes of section 51.0.1.

   3.  To allow persons to complete and submit reports in relation to restricted activities for the purposes of section 51.0.2.

   4.  To allow persons to notify the Ministry of undertakings in respect of which exemptions under section 66.0.1 apply.

   5.  To allow the Ministry to track marine or other archaeological sites and areas of archaeological potential in Ontario.

   6.  Any purposes prescribed by the Minister.

False, misleading information

66.2.2  A person shall not provide false or misleading information in response to a requirement to provide any information under this Part or a provision of the regulations that is prescribed by the Minister.

22 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Personal information

68.1  The Ministry may, for the purposes of this Act and subject to any regulation made under clause 70 (1) (s), collect personal information within the meaning of section 38 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

23 The Act is amended by adding the following sections:

Conservation orders

68.4  (1)  If the Minister is of the opinion that there is an immediate risk of loss of, damage to or destruction of one or more artifacts or damage to or destruction of an archaeological site, the Minister may issue an order requiring a person prescribed by the Minister to take such steps as the Minister determines are necessary to prevent the loss, damage or destruction.

Content of order

(2)  The order shall include,

  (a)  the deadline by which the person shall comply with the order; and

  (b)  any prescribed information.

Service

(3)  Subject to any restrictions or modifications prescribed by the Minister,

  (a)  the order shall be served on the person prescribed by the Minister using a method set out in subsection 67 (1); and

  (b)  service is effective on the relevant day set out in section 67.

Amendment or revocation of order

(4)  If the Minister makes a conservation order under subsection (1), they may,

  (a)  amend the order until such time as a notice of appeal with respect to the order has been filed under subsection (6); and

  (b)  revoke the order at any time.

Compliance

(5)  A person to whom an order under subsection (1) is directed shall comply with the order by the deadline set out in the order.

Appeal to Tribunal

(6)  A person to whom an order under subsection (1) is directed may appeal the order to the Tribunal by giving the Tribunal, no later than 15 days after the day the order is issued, a notice of appeal setting out their objection to the order.

Powers of Tribunal

(7)  The Tribunal may confirm, amend, stay or revoke the order.

Not stay on appeal

(8)  An appeal commenced under subsection (6) does not operate as a stay of the order.

Compensation

(9)  If a conservation order is made by the Minister under subsection (1) and no agreement as to payment of compensation has been reached by the Minister and the person to whom the conservation order is issued, the Minister may direct that the person be compensated in accordance with the regulations.

Cost recovery orders

68.5  (1)  The Minister may issue an order to a person prescribed by the Minister requiring that they compensate the Minister for the costs incurred by the Minister relating to that person’s non-compliance with this Act or the regulations.

Content of order

(2)  The order shall include,

  (a)  the amount that the person shall pay to compensate the Minister;

  (b)  the deadline by which the person shall pay the amount referred to in clause (a); and

  (c)  any prescribed information.

Service

(3)  Subject to any restrictions or modifications prescribed by the Minister,

  (a)  the order shall be served on the person using a method set out in subsection 67 (1); and

  (b)  service is effective on the relevant day set out in section 67.

Compliance

(4)  A person to whom an order under subsection (1) is issued shall comply with the order by the deadline set out in the order.

Debt due to the Crown

(5)  The amount that the person is required to pay to compensate the Minister is a debt due to the Crown and the Crown may recover the debt by action or by any other remedy or procedure available by law to the Crown for the collection of debts owed to the Crown.

Administrative penalties

68.6  (1)  If the Minister is satisfied that a person has contravened or failed to comply with a provision of this Act or the regulations that is prescribed by the Minister, the Minister may, by order, impose an administrative penalty against the person in accordance with this section and the regulations made by the Minister.

Purpose

(2)  The purpose of an administrative penalty imposed under this section is to,

  (a)  ensure compliance with this Act and the regulations; and

  (b)  prevent a person from deriving, directly or indirectly, any economic benefit as a result of contravening the prescribed provisions.

Absolute liability

(3)  An order made under subsection (1) imposing an administrative penalty against a person applies even if,

  (a)  the person took all reasonable steps to prevent the contravention on which the order is based; or

  (b)  at the time of the contravention, the person had an honest and reasonable belief in a mistaken set of facts that, if true, would have rendered the contravention innocent.

No effect on offences

(4)  For greater certainty, nothing in subsection (3) affects the prosecution of an offence.

Other measures

(5)  An administrative penalty may be imposed alone or in conjunction with any measure against a person provided under this or any other Act and may be imposed in conjunction with a fine imposed for the same infraction.

Amount of penalty

(6)  The amount of the administrative penalty shall be determined in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister and shall not exceed $100,000.

Limitation

(7)  An administrative penalty shall not be imposed more than two years after the day on which the contravention first came to the knowledge of the Minister.

No right to be heard

(8)  There is no right to be heard before an order imposing an administrative penalty is made.

Service

(9)  Subject to any restrictions or modifications prescribed by the Minister,

  (a)  an order imposing an administrative penalty shall be served on the person against whom the order is imposed using a method set out in subsection 67 (1); and

  (b)  service is effective on the relevant day set out in section 67.

Right to appeal

(10)  A person against whom an order imposing an administrative penalty is made may, in accordance with the regulations, appeal the order to a prescribed person or entity.

Stay of order

(11)  An appeal commenced under subsection (10) operates as a stay of the order until the matter is finally disposed of.

Powers of prescribed person, entity

(12)  The prescribed person or entity referred to in subsection (10) may confirm, vary or set aside the order.

Decision final

(13)  The prescribed person or entity’s decision under subsection (12) is final.

24 (1)  Subsections 69 (1) and (2) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

Offences and restoration costs

(1)  Every person who does any of the following is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or to both:

   1.  Knowingly furnishes false information in any application under this Act or in any statement, report or return required to be furnished under this Act or the regulations.

   2.  Fails to comply with any order, direction or other requirement made under this Act.

   3.  Contravenes this Act or the regulations.

Directors, officers of corporations

(2)  Every director or officer of a corporation who knowingly concurs in the corporation doing any of the things set out in paragraphs 1 to 3 of subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or to both.

(2)  Subsection 69 (3) of the Act is amended by striking out “$1,000,000” and the end and substituting “$3,000,000”.

(3)  Section 69 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Joint and several liability

(4)  If a corporation is convicted of an offence and is liable to pay a fine, individuals who were directors and officers of the corporation at the time the offence was committed are jointly and severally liable with the corporation to pay the fine.

25 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Public record re actions

69.3  The Minister may, in accordance with the regulations, establish and maintain a public record of the following actions undertaken in relation to Part VI or a provision of the regulations that is prescribed by the Minister, including the names of the persons against whom the actions have been taken and other prescribed information:

   1.  Compliance and enforcement actions.

   2.  Any prescribed actions.

26 (1)  Clause 70 (1) (h) of the Act is repealed.

(2)  Clause 70 (1) (o) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

  (o)  prescribing or otherwise providing for anything, other than anything that is the subject of a Minister’s regulation made under section 72, that is required or permitted under this Act to be prescribed or otherwise provided for in the regulations, including governing anything required or permitted to be done in accordance with the regulations other than anything that is the subject of a Minister’s regulation;

(3)  Section 70 (1) of the Act is amended by adding the following clauses:

(m.0.1)         respecting the Minister’s powers under subsection 49 (10);

(m.0.2)         respecting the Minister’s powers under subsection 50 (3);

(m.0.3)         prescribing requirements for the purposes of subsection 50 (6);

.     .     .     .     .

(m.2)  prescribing information for the purposes of clause 68.5 (2) (c);

(m.3)  prescribing persons or entities for the purposes of subsection 68.6 (10);

(m.4)  governing appeals from administrative penalty orders, including appeal procedures, powers of the decision-maker on appeal, stays, timelines and related matters;

(m.5)  governing the public record established under section 69.3;

.     .     .     .     .

  (s)  governing the collection, use and disclosure of personal information for the purposes of this Act;

27 (1)  The Act is amended by adding the following sections:

Regulations, Minister

72 The Minister may make regulations,

  (a)  prescribing anything that is referred to in this Act as prescribed by the Minister or as otherwise dealt with in the regulations made by the Minister;

  (b)  defining any term or phrase used in this Act that is not defined in this Act, other than a term in respect of which clause 70 (1) (j.1) applies;

  (c)  defining any term or phrase used in a Part of this Act that is not defined for the purposes of that Part;

  (d)  clarifying any term or phrase used in this Act;

  (e)  respecting any matter that is necessary or advisable to implement this Act effectively, other than matters in respect of which the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make a regulation under section 70;

   (f)  providing for the preparation and signing of documents and reports by electronic means, the filing of documents and reports by direct electronic transmission and the printing of documents and reports filed by direct electronic transmission;

  (g)  governing obligations of former licensees.

Regulations, Minister re transitional matters

73 (1)  The Minister may make regulations providing for transitional matters as the Minister considers necessary or advisable to,

  (a)  facilitate the implementation of amendments to this Act made by Schedule 17 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026;

  (b)  deal with any problems or issues arising as a result of the repeal, amendment, enactment or re-enactment of a provision of this Act by Schedule 17 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026;

Same

(2)  For greater certainty, regulations made under subsection (1) may include regulations,

  (a)  clarifying or modifying the application of this Act to, or establishing exceptions or additional requirements for,

         (i)  former licensees, or

        (ii)  persons conducting work in respect of which a registration under section 49 or an authorization under section 50 is required;

  (b)  clarifying or modifying the application of this Act to, or establishing exceptions or additional requirements relating to, archaeological fieldwork or reporting on archaeological fieldwork that commenced but was not completed before the day section 1 of Schedule 17 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force;

  (c)  clarifying or modifying the application of this Act to, or establishing exceptions or additional requirements relating to the register of reports established and maintained under section 65.1, as it read immediately before the day section 18 of Schedule 17 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force;

  (d)  causing repealed or amended provisions of this Act, as they read immediately before their repeal or amendment under Schedule 17 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026, to apply for a temporary period as if they had not been repealed or amended.

(2)  Section 72 of the Act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following clauses:

  (h)  respecting the definition of “qualified person” in section 1;

   (i)  prescribing a code of conduct for qualified persons;

   (j)  governing and prescribing requirements for qualified persons, persons who have registered under section 49 and persons who have applied for or been issued an authorization under section 50;

  (k)  prescribing forms for the purposes of Part VI and requiring their use;

   (l)  respecting the definition of “prescribed process” in section 47;

(m)  governing the systems established under section 66.2.1, including information to be included in the systems and access to information in the systems;

  (n)  prescribing rules governing artifacts and collections under the care or possession of persons prescribed by the Minister or discovered during archaeological assessments, including rules regarding the care, safekeeping and transfer of possession of artifacts and collections, rules governing costs related to artifacts and collections and rules requiring the transfer of possession of artifacts and collections;

  (o)  governing the protection of artifacts and archaeological sites;

  (p)  respecting the amount and payment of an administrative penalty including,

         (i)  prescribing the amount of a penalty, or a method for calculating the amount of a penalty, and prescribing different penalties or ranges of penalties for different types of contraventions or failures to comply and different penalties or ranges of penalties depending on specified criteria,

        (ii)  authorizing that a penalty may be imposed for each day or part of a day on which a contravention or failure to comply continues,

       (iii)  authorizing higher penalties for a second or subsequent contravention or failure to comply, and

       (iv)  governing the manner of payment of penalties.

(3)  Section 72 of the Act, as enacted by subsection (1), is amended by adding the following subsection:

Rolling incorporation by reference

(2)  A regulation made under clause (1) (j) that incorporates another document by reference may provide that the reference to the document includes amendments made to the document from time to time after the regulation is made.

Commencement

28 This Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 18
ONTARIO LABOUR MOBILITY ACT, 2009

1 (1)  Subsections 9 (2) to (6) of the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009 are repealed and the following substituted:

Certification requirements

(2)  Subject to subsections (3) to (7), the Ontario regulatory authority may only impose on the individual, as a condition of certifying the individual in the regulated occupation, a requirement that is referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 705 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

Limits

(3)  The Ontario regulatory authority shall not impose a requirement under subsection (2) if,

  (a)  the requirement involves material additional training, experience, examinations or assessments;

  (b)  the requirement is not necessary as part of the certification process; or

  (c)  the conditions set out in subsection (8) are not met.

Exception

(4)  The Ontario regulatory authority is not prohibited from imposing on the individual, as a condition of certifying the individual in the regulated occupation, any requirement that is adopted by the Government of Ontario under Article 707 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement in respect of the regulated occupation.

Other exceptions

(5)  If the conditions set out in subsection (8) are met, the Ontario regulatory authority is not prohibited from requiring that the individual do one or both of the following as a condition of being certified in the regulated occupation:

   1.  Demonstrate proficiency in English or in French if equivalent proficiency in the language was not a condition of any of the current certifications of the individual by an out-of-province regulatory authority.

   2.  Undertake, obtain or undergo additional training, experience, examinations or assessments if the individual has not practised the regulated occupation within a period of time fixed by the Ontario regulatory authority, before submitting an application for certification to the Ontario regulatory authority.

(2)  The portion of paragraph 2 before subparagraph i of subsection 9 (7) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

   2.  If any current authorizing certificate granted to the individual by an out-of-province regulatory authority is subject to a term, condition or limitation,

.     .     .     .     .

(3)  Subsection 9 (8) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Conditions for subss. (3), (5) and (7)

(8)  The conditions referred to in subsections (3), (5) and (7) are:

   1.  Subject to subsection (9), the requirement or measure must be the same as, or substantially similar to but no more onerous than, the requirement imposed or measure carried out by the Ontario regulatory authority with respect to applicants who are not certified by an out-of-province regulatory authority.

   2.  The requirement imposed or measure carried out by the Ontario regulatory authority must not be a disguised restriction on labour mobility.

(4)  Subsection 9 (10) of the Act is repealed.

2 Clause 26 (b) of the Act is repealed.

Commencement

3 This Schedule comes into force on the later of January 1, 2027 and the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 19
PLANNING ACT

1 Section 17 of the Planning Act is amended by adding the following subsections:

Exception, referral to Tribunal

(40.5)  Despite subsection (40), there is no appeal with respect to any part of the plan that is referred to the Tribunal under subsection (55) or (61), unless a notice of appeal with respect to that part of the plan is filed under subsection (40) before the referral is made.

Transition

(40.6)  Subsection (40.5) applies to an appeal even if the notice of the appeal was filed before section 1 of Schedule 19 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 came into force.

Commencement

2 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 20
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT ACT

1 Subsection 5 (1) of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act is amended by striking out “he or she” and substituting “the Minister”.

2 Section 6 of the Act is amended by striking out “him or her” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “the Minister”.

3 Subsection 8 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “he or she” and substituting “the Minister”.

4 Section 11 of the Act is amended by striking out “he or she” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “the Minister”.

5 Section 15 of the Act is amended by striking out “him or her” and substituting “the Minister”.

6 Subsection 25 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “him or her” and substituting “the Minister”.

7 Subsection 26 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “he or she” and substituting “the Minister”.

8 Section 26.1 of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “their”.

9 Section 28 of the Act is amended by striking out “him or her” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “the Minister”.

10 (1)  Section 30 of the Act is amended by striking out “him or her” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “the Minister”.

(2)  Subsection 30 (7) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “the Minister’s”.

11 Section 31 of the Act is repealed.

12 Section 34 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Roadside controls and interference, King’s Highway

34 (1)  In this section,

“centre point of an intersection” means the point where the centre line of the through part or parts of the King’s Highway meets the centre line of or the centre line of the prolongation of any other highway that intersects or meets the King’s Highway; (“point central d’une intersection”)

“portable sign” means a sign or advertising device that is not permanently attached to the ground, a building or another structure or that is designed to be moved from place to place. (“panneau portatif”)

Activities requiring a permit

(2)  No person shall, except under and in accordance with a permit from the Minister,

  (a)  place, erect or alter any building, fence, gasoline pump, charging station, road or other structure or perform any grading on land within 45 metres of any limit of the King’s Highway or within 180 metres of the centre point of an intersection;

  (b)  place any tree, shrub or hedge within 45 metres of any limit of the King’s Highway or within 180 metres of the centre point of an intersection;

  (c)  display any sign, notice or advertising device, whether or not it contains words, within 400 metres of any limit of the King’s Highway;

  (d)  use land, any part of which is within 800 metres of any limit of the King’s Highway, for a shopping centre, stadium, fair ground, racetrack, drive-in theatre or any other use that causes persons to congregate in large numbers;

  (e)  sell, offer for sale or display produce, goods or merchandise on the King’s Highway;

   (f)  obstruct or deposit material on, along, under or across the King’s Highway or take up or in any way interfere with the King’s Highway; or

  (g)  construct, use or change the use of any private road, entranceway, gate or other structure or facility as a means of access to the King’s Highway.

Exception

(3)  Subsection (2) does not apply with respect to a person who engages in a prescribed activity.

Requirements re prescribed activities

(4)  A person who engages in an activity prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3) shall,

  (a)  provide the ministry with any prescribed notice or information in respect of the activity; and

  (b)  comply with any prescribed standards or requirements that apply to the activity.

Permits

(5)  A person may apply to the Minister for a permit to engage in an activity referred to in subsection (2) if the activity has not been prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3) and, on payment of the prescribed fee, if any, the Minister may issue the permit in the form and subject to the terms and conditions that the Minister considers appropriate and may revoke it at any time.

Non-application order

(6)  The Minister may, by order, provide that subsection (2), or a specified clause of that subsection, or a standard or requirement prescribed for the purposes of subsection (4) does not apply within a local municipality or within a specified part of a local municipality.

Order not regulation

(7)  An order made under subsection (6) is not a regulation within the meaning of Part III (Regulations) of the Legislation Act, 2006.

Prohibited activities not otherwise authorized

(8)  No approval, permit, licence or other authorization provided under any other Act authorizes a person to engage in an activity prohibited by subsection (2) or prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3).

Direction to stop sales etc. along highway

(9)  The Minister may direct a person to,

  (a)  stop selling, offering for sale or displaying produce, goods or merchandise within 45 metres of any limit of the King’s Highway or within 180 metres of the centre point of an intersection; or

  (b)  remove any structure or material that is on, along, under or across the King’s Highway or that takes up or in any way interferes with the King’s Highway.

Direction to owner, remove or alter

(10)  The Minister may direct the owner of land to take one or more of the following actions, even if doing so would otherwise contravene subsection (2) or (4):

   1.  Remove or alter a tree, shrub, hedge, road, gasoline pump, fence, building or other structure on the land.

   2.  Remove or alter a sign, other than a portable sign, notice or advertising device displayed on the land.

   3.  Close a private road, entranceway, gate or other structure or facility on the land.

Same, failure to comply

(11)  If a direction under clause (9) (b) or subsection (10) is not complied with within 30 days after it is received, or within such other period as may be specified in the direction, the Minister may, in writing, authorize a person to take any action necessary to comply with the direction.

Recovery of costs

(12)  All costs and expenses incurred by the Minister in carrying out or causing to be carried out any action under subsection (11) are recoverable from the person to whom the direction was given.

Compensation

(13)  If a direction under subsection (10) is complied with, the Minister shall pay compensation to the owner of the land if the thing removed, altered or closed was placed or erected,

  (a)  before March 24, 1950, and in compliance with The Highway Improvement Act, being chapter 56 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1937, and the regulations made under that Act;

  (b)  before the day on which the King’s Highway was designated as a King’s Highway and in compliance with The Highway Improvement Act as it read on that day; or

  (c)  in compliance with a permit issued under this section, in which case the payment of compensation is subject to the terms and conditions of the permit.

Determination of compensation

(14)  A claim for compensation under subsection (13) shall be determined in accordance with subsections 14 (2) to (5).

Direction to remove portable sign

(15)  If a portable sign is displayed in contravention of subsection (2) or (4), the Minister may direct one or more of the following persons to remove the sign:

   1.  The owner of the portable sign, if the Minister is able to ascertain the owner’s identity and whereabouts.

   2.  The person on whose behalf the portable sign is displayed, if paragraph 1 does not apply and the Minister is able to ascertain the person’s identity and whereabouts.

   3.  The owner of the land on which the portable sign is displayed, if paragraphs 1 and 2 do not apply.

Same, failure to comply

(16)  If a portable sign that is the subject of a direction under subsection (15) is not removed within five days after the direction is given, the Minister may, in writing, authorize a person to enter the land and take any action necessary to remove the sign.

Direction to comply

(17)  If the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that a person has contravened, is contravening or is likely to contravene this section, the Minister may direct the person to do one or more of the following:

   1.  Cease carrying on an activity.

   2.  Provide the records, reports, certifications or other information specified in the direction.

   3.  Undertake monitoring, testing or studies specified in the direction.

   4.  Take any other measure specified in the direction that, in the opinion of the Minister, is reasonably necessary to achieve compliance with this section.

Service of direction

(18)  A direction under subsection (9), (10), (15) or (17) must be in writing and shall be served personally, by email or by registered mail and, if served by registered mail, is deemed to have been received on the second day after it is mailed.

No liability

(19)  An authorization under subsection (11) or (16) authorizes the person named in it to enter the land described in it and take the authorized actions, and neither the Minister nor the authorized person is liable for any damages caused in carrying out those actions.

Offence

(20)  A person who contravenes subsection (2) or (4) or who fails to comply with a direction under subsection (9), (10), (15) or (17) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable,

  (a)  for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $5000; and

  (b)  for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $2000 and not more than $10,000.

Transition

(21)  A permit issued to a person under subsection 31 (1), as that provision read immediately before its repeal, is deemed to be a permit issued to the person under this section.

13 Section 38 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Roadside controls, controlled-access highways

38 (1)  In this section,

“centre point of an intersection” means the point where the centre line of the through part or parts of a controlled-access highway meets the centre line of or the centre line of the prolongation of any other highway that intersects or meets the controlled-access highway; (“point central d’une intersection”)

“portable sign” means a sign or advertising device that is not permanently attached to the ground, a building or another structure or that is designed to be moved from place to place. (“panneau portatif”)

Activities requiring a permit

(2)  No person shall, except under and in accordance with a permit from the Minister,

  (a)  place, erect or alter any building, fence, gasoline pump, charging station, road or other structure or perform any grading on land within 45 metres of any limit of a controlled-access highway or within 395 metres of the centre point of an intersection;

  (b)  place any tree, shrub or hedge within 45 metres of any limit of a controlled-access highway or within 395 metres of the centre point of an intersection;

  (c)  display any sign, notice or advertising device, whether or not it contains words, within 400 metres of any limit of a controlled-access highway;

  (d)  use land, any part of which is within 800 metres of any limit of a controlled-access highway, for a shopping centre, stadium, fair ground, racetrack, drive-in theatre or any other use that causes persons to congregate in large numbers;

  (e)  sell, offer for sale or display any produce, goods or merchandise on or within 45 metres of any limit of a controlled-access highway or within 395 metres of the centre point of an intersection;

   (f)  obstruct or deposit material on, along, under or across the controlled-access highway or take up or in any way interfere with the controlled-access highway;

  (g)  construct, use or change the use of any private road, entranceway, gate or other structure or facility as a means of access to a controlled-access highway; or

  (h)  place, erect or alter any power line, pole line or other transmission line within 400 metres of any limit of a controlled-access highway.

Exception

(3)  Subsection (2) does not apply with respect to a person who engages in a prescribed activity.

Requirements re prescribed activities

(4)  A person who engages in an activity prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3) shall,

  (a)  provide the ministry with any prescribed notice or information in respect of the activity; and

  (b)  comply with any prescribed standards or requirements that apply to the activity.

Permits

(5)  A person may apply to the Minister for a permit to engage in an activity referred to in subsection (2) if the activity has not been prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3) and, on payment of the prescribed fee, if any, the Minister may issue the permit in the form and subject to the terms and conditions that the Minister considers appropriate and may revoke it at any time.

Non-application order

(6)  The Minister may, by order, provide that subsection (2), or a specified clause of that subsection, or a standard or requirement prescribed for the purposes of subsection (4) does not apply within a local municipality or within a specified part of a local municipality.

Order not regulation

(7)  An order made under subsection (6) is not a regulation within the meaning of Part III (Regulations) of the Legislation Act, 2006.

Prohibited activities not otherwise authorized

(8)  No approval, permit, licence or other authorization provided under any other Act authorizes a person to engage in an activity prohibited by subsection (2) or prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3).

Direction to stop sales etc. along highway

(9)  The Minister may direct a person to,

  (a)  stop selling, offering for sale or displaying produce, goods or merchandise on or within 45 metres of any limit of a controlled-access highway or within 395 metres of the centre point of an intersection; or

  (b)  remove any structure or material that is on, along, under or across a controlled-access highway or that takes up or in any way interferes with a controlled-access highway.

Direction to owner, remove or alter

(10)  The Minister may direct the owner of land to take one or more of the following actions, even if doing so would otherwise contravene subsection (2) or (4):

   1.  Remove or alter a tree, shrub, hedge, powerline, pole line or other transmission line, road, gasoline pump, fence, building or other structure on the land.

   2.  Remove or alter a sign, other than a portable sign, notice or advertising device displayed on the land.

   3.  Close a private road, entranceway, gate or other structure or facility on the land that is used as a means of access to a controlled-access highway.

Failure to comply

(11)  If a direction under clause (9) (b) or subsection (10) is not complied with within 30 days after it is received, or within such other period as may be specified in the direction, the Minister may, in writing, authorize a person to take any action necessary to comply with the direction.

Recovery of costs

(12)  All costs and expenses incurred by the Minister in carrying out or causing to be carried out any action under subsection (11) are recoverable from the person to whom the direction was given.

Compensation

(13)  If a direction under subsection (10) is complied with, the Minister shall pay compensation to the owner of the land if the thing removed, altered or closed was placed or erected,

  (a)  before March 24, 1950, and in compliance with The Highway Improvement Act, being chapter 56 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1937, and the regulations made under that Act;

  (b)  before the day on which a controlled-access highway was designated as a controlled-access highway and in compliance with The Highway Improvement Act as it read on that day; or

  (c)  in compliance with a permit issued under this section, in which case the payment of compensation is subject to the terms and conditions of the permit.

Determination of compensation

(14)  A claim for compensation under subsection (13) shall be determined in accordance with subsections 14 (2) to (5).

Direction to remove portable sign

(15)  If a portable sign is displayed in contravention of subsection (2) or (4), the Minister may direct one or more of the following persons to remove the sign:

   1.  The owner of the portable sign, if the Minister is able to ascertain the owner’s identity and whereabouts.

   2.  The person on whose behalf the portable sign is displayed, if paragraph 1 does not apply and the Minister is able to ascertain the person’s identity and whereabouts.

   3.  The owner of the land on which the portable sign is displayed, if paragraphs 1 and 2 do not apply.

Failure to comply

(16)  If a portable sign that is the subject of a direction under subsection (15) is not removed within five days after the direction is given, the Minister may, in writing, authorize a person to enter the land and take any action necessary to remove the sign.

Direction to comply

(17)  If the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that a person has contravened, is contravening or is likely to contravene this section, the Minister may direct the person to do one or more of the following:

   1.  Cease carrying on an activity.

   2.  Provide the records, reports, certifications or other information specified in the direction.

   3.  Undertake monitoring, testing or studies specified in the direction.

   4.  Take any other measure specified in the direction that, in the opinion of the Minister, is reasonably necessary to achieve compliance with this section.

Service of direction

(18)  A direction under subsection (9), (10), (15) or (17) must be in writing and shall be served personally, by email or by registered mail and, if served by registered mail, is deemed to have been received on the second day after it is mailed.

No liability

(19)  An authorization under subsection (11) or (16) authorizes the person named in it to enter the land described in it and take the authorized actions, and neither the Minister nor the authorized person is liable for any damages caused in carrying out those actions.

Offence

(20)  A person who contravenes subsection (2) or (4) or who fails to comply with a direction under subsection (9), (10), (15) or (17) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable,

  (a)  for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $5000; and

  (b)  for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $2000 and not more than $10,000.

14 (1)  Subsection 43 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “his or her” and substituting “the Minister’s”.

(2)  Section 43 of the Act is amended by striking out “he or she” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “the Minister”.

15 Subsection 90 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “he or she” in the portion after clause (d) and substituting “the Minister”.

16 Clauses 96 (2) (d) to (f) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

  (d)  a prohibition or restriction of the activities described in subsection 34 (2), the making of a direction under subsection 34 (9), (10), (15) or (17) and the authorization of a person under subsection 34 (11) or (16) and any subsequent authorized action of the person, in relation to the King’s Highway;

  (e)  a prohibition or restriction of the activities described in subsection 38 (2), the making of a direction under subsection 38 (9), (10), (15) or (17) and the authorization of a person under subsection 38 (11) or (16) and any subsequent authorized action of the person, in relation to a controlled-access highway; and

   (f)  the refusal to issue a permit, the cancellation of a permit or the imposition of a term or condition on a permit under subsection 34 (5) or 38 (5).

17 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Inspections and audits

97 (1)  The Minister may conduct inspections and audits for the purpose of determining compliance with this Act, the regulations and orders made under this Act.

Same

(2)  A person shall provide to the Minister, in the form specified by the Minister, such records, information, reports, certifications and attestations as the Minister reasonably requires for the purposes of an inspection or audit under subsection (1).

Entry

(3)  Subject to the regulations, a person authorized by the Minister may enter land at any reasonable time for the purposes of conducting an inspection or audit under subsection (1).

18 (1)  Subsection 112 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “him or her” and substituting “the Minister”.

(2)  Subsection 112 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Hearing

(2)  The judge shall, in writing, appoint a time and place for the hearing of the application and may, in the appointment, direct that it be served on such persons and in such manner as the judge specifies.

19 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Regulations, ss. 34 and 38

117.1  The Minister may make regulations respecting any matter necessary or advisable to effectively carry out sections 34 and 38 and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, may make regulations,

  (a)  governing anything referred to in those sections as being prescribed or anything that is required or permitted to be done in accordance with the regulations or otherwise as provided by the regulations;

  (b)  governing activities prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of subsection 34 (3) or 38 (3);

  (c)  respecting notices and information required under subsections 34 (4) and 38 (4), including content, form, manner of submission and timing;

  (d)  respecting standards and requirements prescribed for the purposes of subsections 34 (4) and 38 (4);

  (e)  respecting permits under subsection 34 (5) and 38 (5), including applications, forms, fees, terms and conditions, amendments, transfers, expiry, renewals and revocations;

   (f)  governing inspections and audits under section 97, including respecting entry onto land, notices, records, reports and information;

  (g)  exempting any person, activity, structure, facility, use of land, class of person or class of activity from any provision of section 34, 38 or 97;

  (h)  respecting records, reports, certifications, attestations and other information required under section 34 or 38, including their form, content, retention and submission;

   (i)  respecting the service and giving of directions, notices and other documents under section 34 or 38, including prescribing when they are deemed to have been served or received;

   (j)  governing transitional matters arising from the enactment of section 34, 38 or 97 or this section.

20 Section 118 of the Act is amended by striking out “he or she” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “the Minister”.

Commencement

21 This Schedule comes into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

SCHEDULE 21
REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS ACT, 1991

1 (1)  Subsection 22.18 (2) of Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 is repealed and the following substituted:

Certification requirements

(2)  Subject to subsections (2.1), (3), (4) and (7), the College may only impose on the applicant, as a condition of registering the individual, a requirement that is referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 705 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

Limits

(2.1)  The College shall not impose a requirement under subsection (2) if,

  (a)  the requirement involves material additional training, experience, examinations or assessments;

  (b)  the requirement is not necessary as part of the certification process; or

  (c)  the conditions set out in subsection (8) are not met.

(2)  Subsection 22.18 (3) of Schedule 2 to the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Exception, adopted registration requirements

(3)  The College is not prohibited from imposing on the applicant any registration requirement that is adopted by the Government of Ontario under Article 707 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

(3)  Subsections 22.18 (4) to (6) of Schedule 2 to the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

Other exceptions

(4)  If the conditions set out in subsection (8) are met, the College is not prohibited from imposing one or both of the following registration requirements on the applicant:

   1.  Requiring the applicant to demonstrate proficiency in English or in French if equivalent proficiency in the language was not a requirement for the granting of any current out-of-province certificate.

   2.  Requiring the applicant to undertake, obtain or undergo additional training, experience, examinations or assessments if the applicant has not, within a period of time fixed by the College, before submitting the application for registration, practised the profession to the extent that would be permitted by the certificate of registration for which the applicant is applying.

(4)  Subsections 22.18 (7) and (8) of Schedule 2 to the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

Permitted measures

(7)  This section does not prohibit the College from carrying out either one or both of the following measures in respect of the applicant if the conditions set out in subsection (8) are met:

   1.  Refusing to issue a certificate of registration to the applicant or imposing terms, conditions or limitations on the applicant’s certificate of registration if, in the opinion of the Registration Committee, such action is necessary to protect the public interest as a result of complaints, or criminal, disciplinary or other proceedings, against the applicant in any jurisdiction whether in or outside Canada, relating to the applicant’s competency, conduct or character.

   2.  If any current out-of-province certificate held by the applicant is subject to a term, condition or limitation,

          i.  imposing an equivalent term, condition or limitation on the certificate of registration to be issued to the applicant, or

         ii.  refusing to register the applicant, if the College does not impose an equivalent term, condition or limitation on the certificate of registration being applied for.

Conditions for subss. (2.1), (4) and (7)

(8)  The conditions referred to in subsections (2.1), (4) and (7) are:

   1.  Subject to subsection (9), the measure carried out by the College with respect to applicants who hold an out-of-province certificate must be the same as, or substantially similar to but no more onerous than, the measure carried out by the College with respect to applicants who do not hold an out-of-province certificate.

   2.  The measure carried out by the College must not be a disguised restriction on labour mobility.

(5)  Subsection 22.18 (10) of Schedule 2 to the Act is amended by striking out “subsections (3), (4) and (5)” and substituting “subsections (2), (3) and (4)”.

2 (1)  Subsection 22.19.1 (2) of Schedule 2 to the Act is repealed.

(2)  Subsection 22.19.1 (3) of Schedule 2 to the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Permitted registration requirements

(3)  Subject to subsections (3.1) and (5), the College may only impose the following registration requirements on the applicant:

   1.  Require the applicant to pay a fee upon application for registration and upon registration.

   2.  Require the applicant to provide evidence of good character.

   3.  Require the applicant to provide a certificate, letter or other evidence from every body or individual from whom the applicant currently holds an out-of-province certificate confirming that the out-of-province certificate is in good standing.

   4.  Require the applicant to provide administrative information required to process the applicant’s registration, including,

          i.  the applicant’s name and contact information, as well as government-issued proof of identity with photograph,

         ii.  consent that the applicant’s information may be exchanged with every body or individual from whom the applicant currently holds an out-of-province certificate, and

         iii.  a declaration that the information provided is true and accurate.

Limits

(3.1)  The College shall not impose a requirement under subsection (3) if,

  (a)  the requirement involves material additional training, experience, examinations or assessments;

  (b)  the requirement is not necessary as part of the certification process; or

  (c)  the conditions set out in subsection (6) are not met.

(3)  Subsection 22.19.1 (4) of Schedule 2 to the Act is repealed.

(4)  Subsections 22.19.1 (5) and (6) of Schedule 2 to the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

Permitted measures

(5)  This section does not prohibit the College from carrying out either one or both of the following measures in respect of the applicant if the conditions set out in subsection (6) are met:

   1.  Refusing to issue a certificate of registration to the applicant or imposing terms, conditions or limitations on the applicant’s certificate of registration if, in the opinion of the Registrar, such action is necessary to protect the public interest as a result of complaints, or criminal, disciplinary or other proceedings, against the applicant in any jurisdiction whether in or outside Canada, relating to the applicant’s competency, conduct or character.

   2.  If any current out-of-province certificate held by the applicant is subject to a term, condition or limitation, having the Registrar impose an equivalent term, condition or limitation on the certificate of registration to be issued to the applicant.

Conditions for subss. (3.1) and (5)

(6)  The conditions referred to in subsections (3.1) and (5) are:

   1.  Subject to subsection (7), the measure carried out by the College with respect to applicants who hold an out-of-province certificate must be the same as, or substantially similar to but no more onerous than, the measure carried out by the College with respect to applicants who do not hold an out-of-province certificate.

   2.  The measure carried out by the College must not be a disguised restriction on labour mobility.

Commencement

3 This Schedule comes into force on the later of January 1, 2027 and the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 22
RESOURCE RECOVERY AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY ACT, 2016

1 (1)  Subsection 61 (1) of the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 is amended by adding the following paragraph:

5.1  Offer of services, as described in section 70.1.

(2)  Subsection 61 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Alternate or additional person

(2)  One or more of the following persons may be required to carry out responsibilities under this Part instead of, or in addition to, a brand holder described in subsection (1):

   1.  A person who has a commercial connection to a product in a designated class.

   2.  A person who has an agreement relating to the carrying out of responsibilities under this Part with a person who is required to carry out responsibilities under this Part.

   3.  A person who satisfies the prescribed criteria.

(3)  Subsections 61 (2.1), (5) and (6) of the Act are repealed.

2 (1)  Subsection 62 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “a person” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “one or more of the following persons”.

(2)  Subsection 62 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “or” at the end of clause (c) and by repealing clause (d) and substituting the following:

  (d)  the person has an agreement relating to the carrying out of responsibilities under this Part with a person who is required to carry out responsibilities under this Part; or

  (e)  the person satisfies the prescribed criteria.

3 Section 69.1 of the Act is repealed.

4 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Responsibility to offer services to municipalities, etc.

70.1  (1)  A regulation may provide that a person mentioned in section 61 or 62 is responsible for offering to provide services mentioned in one or more of paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of subsection 61 (1), with respect to prescribed material in a designated class, to municipalities and prescribed entities.

Same

(2)  The services required to be offered in a regulation under subsection (1) shall be services other than those that the person is already required to provide under this Part.

Same

(3)  A regulation may require that the offer be made in accordance with prescribed requirements.

5 Clauses 107 (b.1) to (b.3) of the Act are repealed and the following substituted:

(b.1) requiring prescribed persons to provide specified information, including financial and operational information, within specified time periods, to specified persons, the public and the Authority;

(b.2) requiring prescribed persons to enter into agreements relating to Part IV;

(b.3) governing agreements relating to Part IV, which may include but is not limited to,

         (i)  governing payments, fees or charges made under an agreement, which may include prescribing limits on payments, fees or charges,

        (ii)  governing any terms in an agreement, including terms respecting notice, termination, dispute resolution, exclusivity or non-competition, renewal or services provided,

       (iii)  specifying criteria that must be met for a person to enter into an agreement,

       (iv)  specifying criteria that, if met, disqualify a person from entering into an agreement, and

        (v)  specifying criteria that, if met, entitle a person to be given an opportunity to enter into an agreement;

(b.4) governing offers to provide services under section 70.1, including,

         (i)  specifying circumstances in which offers must be made and time periods within which offers must be made,

        (ii)  governing terms and conditions to be included in an offer, and

       (iii)  prescribing requirements respecting the services offered;

6 The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Application to existing agreements

108.1  (1)  A regulation made under this Act may, if it so provides, specify that it applies to agreements that were entered into before the day the regulation is filed.

Modification, extinguishment of rights

(2)  For clarity, a regulation that provides that it applies to an agreement that was entered into before the day the regulation is filed may, if the regulation so provides, have the effect of modifying or extinguishing any right, obligation or interest acquired or accrued under the agreement.

No compensation

(3)  No person is entitled to compensation as a result of the making of a regulation under this Act.

No expropriation or injurious affection

(4)  Nothing done or not done in accordance with a regulation under this Act constitutes an expropriation or injurious affection for the purposes of the Expropriations Act or otherwise at law.

Commencement

7 This Schedule comes into force on the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.

SCHEDULE 23
RETAIL SALES TAX ACT

1 (1)  Subsection 4.2 (1) of the Retail Sales Tax Act is amended by striking out “Subject to subsection (5)” at the beginning.

(2)  Subsections 4.2 (5) and (5.1) of the Act are repealed.

2 Section 5 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Registration

5 (1)  A vendor shall register with the Minister in the manner required by the Minister if the vendor,

  (a)  sells any contract of insurance in respect of which the premium is subject to tax under this Act;

  (b)  receives reimbursement for premiums subject to tax under this Act under a contract of group insurance; or

  (c)  administers a benefits plan in respect of which the premium is subject to tax under this Act.

Exception

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply to Ontario employers if they are vendors only by reason of clause (h) of the definition of “vendor” in subsection 1 (1) and if the person to whom they pay the premium and the tax is a vendor registered under subsection (1).

Offence

(3)  Every vendor who fails to comply with this section is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $100 for each day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues.

Transition

(4)  Every vendor who held a permit issued by the Minister under this section, as it read immediately before being re-enacted by section 2 of Schedule 23 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026, is deemed to have registered with the Minister in accordance with subsection (1).

3 Subsection 6 (2) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Application

(2)  This section applies with respect to a person who,

  (a)  before January 1, 2027, held or was required to hold a permit under section 5; or

  (b)  on or after January 1, 2027, is registered or required to be registered under section 5.

4 (1)  Subsection 14 (1) of the Act is amended by striking out “and that holds a valid and subsisting permit issued under section 5” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “and that is registered with the Minister under section 5”.

(2)  Subsections 14 (1.2) and (1.3) of the Act are repealed.

5 Clause 15 (2) (b) of the Act is amended by striking out “to have a permit” and substituting “to be registered”.

6 Section 47 of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

Evidence in prosecution

47 (1)  In a prosecution against a vendor under this Act, a copy of the application filed by a vendor for a permit under section 5, as it read immediately before being re-enacted by section 2 of Schedule 23 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026, and a copy of a vendor’s registration under section 5, including an application or registration made electronically and reproduced from data stored electronically, purporting to be certified by an official of the Ministry of Finance having access to the records of the vendor maintained by the Ministry, is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the person charged is a vendor under this Act and a copy of a return filed by the vendor, similarly certified, is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the vendor collected the tax specified in the return.

Same

(2)  If a vendor is described as a partnership on an application form for a permit under section 5, as it read immediately before being re-enacted by section 2 of Schedule 23 to the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026, or on a registration under section 5, a copy of the application form or the registration certified as mentioned in subsection (1) is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the persons named in the form are members of the partnership and a copy of a return filed by the partnership, certified as mentioned in subsection (1), is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the partnership collected the tax specified in the return.

7 Clause 48 (3) (f) of the Act is repealed.

Commencement

8 This Schedule comes into force on the later of January 1, 2027 and the day the Building Ontario Faster Act, 2026 receives Royal Assent.