From the Provincial Office of OSSTF This past week’s Legislative agenda saw the Liberals pass their School Boards Collective Bargaining Amendment Act while questions regarding Premier Kathleen Wynne’s continued poor public polling results ignited furious media speculation. Former Liberal MPP Greg Sorbara caused a stir by suggesting that Wynne... Read More

From the Provincial Office of OSSTF LIBERALS CUT HYDRO-ELECTRIC RATES With an election less than 18 months away, Premier Kathleen Wynne unveiled her long-anticipated plan to lower hydro-electric rates and restore her political fortunes. Wynne’s plan will see hydro-electric rates drop by 25 per cent for all residential customers. While most... Read More

From the Provincial Office of OSSTF After a two-month winter recess, the Ontario Legislature resumed with Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals facing continued pressure on hydro-electric prices. Since her mea culpa late last year that she “took her eyes of the ball” on hydro-electric prices, Premier Wynne promised to focus her energies on this... Read More

From the Provincial Office of OSSTF NEW BILLS INTRODUCED BILL 76, PATHWAYS TO POST-SECONDARY EXCELLENCE ACT (POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL REPORT) Liberal MPP Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre) would require the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario to collect and publish information about certain educational institutions on an annual basis... Read More

From the Provincial Office of OSSTF NEW BILLS INTRODUCED BILL 71, LUNG HEALTH ACT The bill, co-sponsored by Liberal MPP Ted McMeekin (Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale), PC MPP Jeff Yurek (Elgin—Middlesex—London) and NDP MPP France Gelinas (Nickel Belt) would establish the Lung Health Advisory Council. It would require the Minister of... Read More

From the Provincial Office of OSSTF BILL 37, PROTECTING STUDENTS ACT, UNANIMOUSLY PASSES 3RD READING, AWAITS ROYAL ASSENT TO BECOME LAW Within six weeks of re-introducing Bill 37, Protecting Students Act, the Liberals successfully passed the legislation with all-party support by a unanimous vote of 90 – 0. Despite a number of objections... Read More

From the Provincial Office of OSSTF BILL 37, PROTECTING STUDENTS ACT, COMPLETES COMMITTEE REVIEW AND IS RETURNED TO LEGISLATURE FOR 3RD READING The Standing Committee on Economic and Finance Affairs completed its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 37, Protecting Students Act last Thursday and has sent the bill back to the Legislative... Read More

From the Provincial Office of OSSTF NEW BILLS INTRODUCED Bill 49, Transparency and Accountability in Government Contracting Act NDP MPP Catherine Fife (Kitchener—Waterloo) introduced Bill 49, Transparency and Accountability in Government Contracting Act. Fife’s bill would force the government to complete a privatization cost-benefit analysis... Read More

From the Provincial Office of OSSTF BILL 37, PROTECTING STUDENTS ACT MOVES TO COMMITTEE HEARINGS Within two weeks of re-introducing the Protecting Students Act, the Liberals sought to fast-track the bill through the Legislature by passing a time allocation motion at 2nd Reading and moving the bill to committee hearings on October 27... Read More

From the Provincial Office of OSSTF NEW BILLS INTRODUCED BILL 31, JONATHAN’S LAW (EMPLOYEE LEAVE OF ABSENCE WHEN CHILD DIES) NDP MPP Peter Tabuns (Toronto—Danforth) introduced Bill 31, Jonathan’s Law (Employee Leave of Absence When Child Dies). Tabuns’ bill would allow employees, who have been employed for at least six consecutive months, a... Read More