Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Supporting Families and Keeping Children Healthy
Starting Jan. 1, 2015, new regulations come into effect that will protect youth from the dangers of tobacco and support the government's commitment to achieve the lowest smoking rate in Canada.
The new rules prohibit the sale of tobacco on post-secondary campuses and schools, and prohibit smoking on all restaurant and bar patios as well as children's playgrounds and publicly owned sport surfaces.
Other changes coming into effect on Jan. 1 will:
- Outline habitat protections for five species at risk;
- Allow five- and six-storey buildings to be constructed out of wood to provide safer, more affordable construction options;
- Enhance barrier-free design requirements making Ontario the leading Canadian jurisdiction for accessibility in buildings;
- Set new or enhanced energy efficiency requirements for 22 products such as microwave ovens, water heaters and televisions.
Updating laws and regulations to ensure they are helping families is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Quick Facts:
- Twice a year the government releases a list of the regulations and fees coming into force on July 1 and Jan. 1.
- Ontario consistently has the lowest per capita program spending among all Canadian provinces.
- In 2012, the latest year for which data are available, Ontario had 6.5 public-sector employees per 1,000 people, compared to a national average of 9.7 employees per 1,000 people.
Learn More:
Quotes:
"Ensuring our legislation, regulations and fees are up-to-date is key to building a province that is modern and innovative, while continuing to protect and invest in the services that are important to the people of Ontario."
— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
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