Legislation and Regulation changes, in effect as of July 1, 2022

The Ontario government is amending the Occupational Health and Safety Act so that limited license holders, in addition to professional engineers, will have the ability to provide advice and certification as currently required under the Act. This change will make it easier for employers to meet requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, while continuing to protect worker health and safety by ensuring that engineering advice and certification are provided by qualified engineers.

The Ontario government is also amending the Occupational Health and Safety Act by increasing the maximum fines permitted to be levied against officers and directors of businesses that do not provide a safe work environment that leads to a worker being severely injured or dying on the job. The new maximum fine will stand at $1.5 million if convicted, while fines for other individuals involved in such a case will rise to a maximum of $500,000.

The Ontario government is building on changes made to the Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act last year in order to remove barriers for internationally-trained individuals to get licensed in non-health regulated professions and trades, including eliminating Canadian work experience requirements for registration and licensing. The new regulation will streamline the registration process for internationally-trained individuals by reducing duplication in official language proficiency testing, setting time limits for regulated professions to make and communicate registration decisions and supporting continuity of registration processes during emergencies.

For additional legislation and regulation changes that came into effect on July 1, 2022, visit the Ontario Government’s website.