Hi folks! Here's your update on what's happened with various bills down at the Ontario Legislative Assembly this past week.

If you're not as familiar with the different stages of a bill, check out the "How bills become law" legend below for a quick refresher.

Have questions about these bills? You can review the full legislative details through the Ontario Legislative Assembly's official website, or reach out to your local MPP.

Interested in participating in a committee for a bill? Check out this page for more details.

Friendly reminder that this is AI summarized/generated content, so while I strive for accuracy, there may be some mistakes. Always feel free to fact check or dive into the full legislative details if you're curious!

If you have any feedback on the newsletter format or content, just hit reply and let me know — I'm always looking for ways to make this newsletter better!

As a heads up, the OLA is on recess until October 27th, 2026. There will be no further newsletters until then.

At a Glance

How bills become law

Bills have various stages as they move through the legislature.

First Reading: A bill is introduced to the Legislature for the first time.

Second Reading: Members of Parliament debate on the bill's overall principle and purpose.

Committee Review: A legislative committee examines the bill in detail and may propose amendments.

Third Reading: Final debate and vote on the bill as amended.

Royal Assent: The bill is signed into law by the Lieutenant Governor.

New bills

Bill 133, Health Care Honours, Employment, Retention, Optimization and Empowerment Strategy Act, 2026

• Currently at First Reading as of 2026-06-06

Bill 134, Diverting Waste from Landfills and Reducing Greenhouse Gases Act, 2026

• Currently at First Reading as of 2026-06-06

Bill 135, Swahili Heritage Month Act, 2026

• Currently at First Reading as of 2026-06-06

Bill 136, Responsible Flyer Delivery Act, 2026

• Currently at First Reading as of 2026-06-06

Bill 137, Keeping Our Kids Safe Online Act, 2026

• Currently at First Reading as of 2026-06-06

Bill 138, Social Media Age Restriction Plan Act, 2026

• Currently at First Reading as of 2026-06-06

Bill 139, Homes You Can Afford in the Communities You Love Act, 2026

• Currently at First Reading as of 2026-06-06

Updated bills

Bill 100, Better Regional Governance Act, 2026

• Now at Third Reading as of 2026-06-06

Bill 119, Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026

• Now at Second Reading as of 2026-06-06

Bills that have received Royal Assent (become law)

• Bill 9, Municipal Accountability Act, 2026
• Bill 75, Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2026
• Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026
• Bill 110, Building Billy Bishop Airport Act, 2026

What's happening at the legislature this week?

Bill 9: Municipal Accountability Act, 2026

Royal Assent

What's Happening?

Bill 9 creates a new accountability mechanism for Ontario municipal politicians. It establishes a two-level integrity review process: local Integrity Commissioners investigate alleged code of conduct violations, and for serious breaches that cause harm, they can refer cases to the provincial Integrity Commissioner of Ontario for a second review.

If the provincial Commissioner confirms a serious violation occurred, they can recommend that a councillor's seat be declared vacant. The municipality's council then votes on this recommendation within 30 days; it passes only if all eligible councillors vote yes. If approved, the member loses their seat and cannot hold municipal office for four years. Codes of conduct will be prescribed by the province rather than set locally.

Key timelines and thresholds: - Recommendations must be made within 6 years of the alleged contravention - Council must vote within 30 days of receiving a vacancy recommendation - Members are disqualified from office for 4 years if their seat is declared vacant - No recommendations or inquiries during municipal election periods

What This Means for You

If you're a municipal councillor or local board member: You'll now follow a provincially prescribed code of conduct and face a stricter accountability system. Serious breaches that cause harm can result in losing your seat, even if your council doesn't want to remove you. You'll also need to complete mandatory integrity training.

If you're a resident or voter: This creates a stronger check on misconduct by politicians. Even if your local council protects a member, the province can still pursue removal if the breach is serious enough. The independent Integrity Commissioner of Ontario adds oversight.

If you're a municipality or local board: You lose control over your code of conduct—the province now sets it. However, your council has final say on seat vacancies and retains power to impose lesser penalties like public censure. You may face new reporting requirements to the public.

Bill 75: Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2026

Royal Assent

What's Happening?

Bill 75 is a sweeping omnibus act that makes changes across seven areas of Ontario law, focusing on criminal justice, road safety, animal welfare, and public sector support.

The bill strengthens the bail system by allowing Crown Attorneys to register liens against a surety's real property to enforce unpaid bail amounts, with liens expiring after six years. It toughens impaired and dangerous driving penalties: drivers convicted of dangerous operation causing death face indefinite licence suspension, police can immediately suspend licences for 90 days for suspected dangerous driving (with limited appeal rights), and fines for drive-carelessly offences increase. The bill also increases penalties for driving while suspended and holding devices while driving, with higher fines for commercial vehicles.

On animal welfare, the act bans breeding cats and dogs for research, prohibits invasive medical research on prescribed animals except under strict committee approval, and increases minimum fines for harming law enforcement animals from $25,000 to $50,000. It also restricts photography and recording at inquests and creates a scholarship fund for surviving spouses and children of public safety officers who died in the line of duty.

Key thresholds and deadlines: - Bail liens expire 6 years after registration - 90-day licence suspension for suspected dangerous driving - Vehicle impoundment: 7 days (dangerous driving), 14–45 days (driving while suspended, depending on prior impounds) - Minimum $50,000 fine for harming law enforcement animals; maximum $260,000 (individuals) or $1,000,000 (corporations)

What This Means for You

If you're accused of a crime: Sureties (people who pledge money for your bail) now face property liens—the Crown can seize and sell their real estate if bail conditions are breached. You may also face immediate 90-day licence suspension and vehicle impoundment if police suspect dangerous driving, with limited appeal rights. These measures make bail tougher to obtain and enforce.

If you drive in Ontario: Licence suspensions are now harsher and faster. Police can suspend your licence for 90 days on the spot if they suspect dangerous driving, and vehicle impoundment periods are longer (up to 45 days for repeat driving-while-suspended offences). Fines for distracted driving and driving carelessly also increase, especially for commercial drivers.

If you work in animal research or welfare: Research facilities can no longer breed cats or dogs for research, and invasive medical research on prescribed animals is banned unless approved by an animal care committee. Penalties for harming law enforcement animals double, with minimum fines jumping to $50,000. These changes reflect stricter animal protection standards.

Bill 98: Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026

Royal Assent

What's Happening?

Bill 98 is a sweeping omnibus law that removes barriers to housing and improves transit across Ontario. It establishes a new provincial framework for transit fares, services and payment systems in major regions. It also overhauls planning rules to streamline development: municipalities can no longer require electric vehicle chargers for parking, minimum lot sizes are capped, and environmental standards are clarified as permitted within building codes. The bill creates a pathway for private water and sewage utilities through municipal consent, reorganizes official plan requirements with a standardized structure, and exempts non-profit retirement homes from development charges. It also grants Metrolinx new powers to notify building officials of transit projects and streamlines labour protections for employees transferred to new water and wastewater corporations.

Key measures: - Transit systems in defined regions must participate in unified fare and trip-booking systems by Minister-set deadlines - Zoning by-laws cannot mandate EV chargers or require lot sizes above prescribed minimums for urban residential land - Non-profit retirement homes exempt from development charges immediately - Official plans must follow new standardized chapter and section structure; transition deadlines: January 1, 2028 (23 named cities) or January 1, 2029 (all others)

What This Means for You

If you're a homebuilder or developer: This bill removes several regulatory barriers to housing development. Zoning requirements for minimum lot sizes are now capped, you no longer face mandatory EV charger requirements, and environmental standards have been clarified to prevent conflicting interpretations. Official plans must follow a standardized structure, creating more predictability. However, you'll face new transit integration requirements in designated areas and must work within reformed park/open space dedication rules.

If you use public transit: Transit systems serving Toronto, Hamilton, Durham, Halton, Peel, and York regions must now participate in unified fare and payment systems set by the Minister. This should reduce confusion when transferring between transit networks and make cross-municipal travel easier. Specialized transit for people with disabilities must offer unified trip booking and cross-boundary services within a prescribed distance, improving accessibility and convenience.

If you're a municipality or water utility operator: Municipalities retain power to approve non-municipal water and sewage utilities but now must consent if prescribed regulatory criteria are met. New water and wastewater public corporations have strict ownership rules (only public entities can hold shares) and cannot transfer assets without board approval. Employees transferred to these corporations retain continuous employment rights and seniority, protecting labour standards.

Bill 100: Better Regional Governance Act, 2026

Third Reading

What's Happening?

Bill 100 restructures governance in eight Ontario regional and county municipalities by changing how their councils are led and composed. Starting after the 2026 election, the Minister can appoint the head of council for Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Simcoe County, Waterloo, and York—or councils can elect their own unless the Minister intervenes. The County of Simcoe's council will now consist of its appointed head plus the 16 lower-tier municipal heads. The Regional Municipality of Niagara will have its appointed head plus 12 lower-tier heads. The Minister also gains power to regulate voting methods for upper-tier councils and set council composition for Thorold, Port Colborne, and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Key changes take effect after the 2026 municipal election, with some provisions coming into force November 15, 2026. Nominations already filed for these positions are deemed withdrawn as of the bill's Royal Assent (if after May 1, 2026).

What This Means for You

If you're in affected municipalities: You'll see significant changes to how your regional or county government is structured and led. The Minister now has direct authority over council leadership appointments, reducing local control over choosing the head of council. Council composition will shift to favour lower-tier municipal heads, changing who represents you at the regional level.

If you're a local politician: Candidates who already filed nominations for head of council or Niagara council positions will have those nominations automatically withdrawn and must re-register. Simcoe County and Niagara councils will shrink dramatically, eliminating independent councillor positions—only the appointed/elected head and the heads of lower-tier municipalities will serve.

If you're focused on local autonomy: This bill centralizes significant control at the provincial level, allowing the Minister to unilaterally appoint leaders, remove them without cause, and reshape council structures. While councils can still elect their own head if the Minister doesn't appoint, the option to do so can be reversed at any time.

Bill 110: Building Billy Bishop Airport Act, 2026

Royal Assent

What's Happening?

This law allows Ontario's Minister of Transportation to take ownership of specific properties at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport from the City of Toronto. When the Minister designates land, the Crown automatically gains control of all buildings, structures, fixtures, and improvements on that land. Toronto is prohibited from selling, mortgaging, or otherwise disposing of any of these assets.

The Crown must pay Toronto fair market compensation based on independent appraisals, with disputes resolved through binding arbitration. On a prescribed date, Toronto's role in the 1983 Tripartite Agreement governing the airport transfers entirely to the Crown. The law prevents Toronto from amending or ending its involvement in that agreement. Actions under this law do not constitute expropriation.

What This Means for You

If you're the City of Toronto: The city loses control of specified Billy Bishop Airport properties and must receive fair market compensation through appraisal reports. You're prohibited from selling or mortgaging these assets before and after the law takes effect, and your role in the airport's governing agreement shifts entirely to the provincial Crown.

If you're connected to the airport's operations: The province now directly controls Billy Bishop Airport properties and assumes Toronto's responsibilities under the 1983 Tripartite Agreement with Canada and the Toronto Port Authority. This changes the decision-making structure but aims to modernize the airport and expand passenger services.

If you're a potential claimant: You cannot sue the Crown, government ministers, or their staff over the property transfer or any resulting losses—with limited exceptions for constitutional challenges. This broadly shields the government from legal disputes related to the takeover.

Bill 119: Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026

Second Reading

What's Happening?

Bill 119 is an omnibus bill amending or enacting 16 different Ontario laws to strengthen community safety and protect vulnerable people. Key changes include: creating a sex offender registry that automatically tracks individuals subject to federal reporting orders, expanding adoption safeguards by requiring adoption practitioners to hold specific approvals, establishing a regime for tracking and controlling pill presses and precursor chemicals used in illegal drug production, and creating a legal mechanism for identifying and cancelling "coerced debts" owed by human trafficking victims. The bill also enhances restraining order enforcement, expands policing oversight powers, and increases penalties for various offences.

Key numeric thresholds and deadlines include: • Maximum $250,000 fines for pill press/precursor offences (up to $25,000 for reporting violations) • Coerced debt collection pauses triggered by designated organization notices • 15-day deadline for unpaid administrative penalties before they're added to municipal tax rolls

What This Means for You

If you're a human trafficking survivor: The bill establishes a new process allowing you to have debts incurred during your trafficking recognized as 'coerced debts' and have them cancelled. Designated support organizations can help you, and creditors are prohibited from collecting these debts. You cannot be denied credit, insurance, or licenses because of coerced debts.

If you're a parent pursuing domestic or international adoption: Adoption practitioners must now hold formal director approvals and meet prescribed standards. Adoptions from specific countries require licensing terms that can be suspended if safeguards are inadequate. These changes aim to ensure rigorous oversight of adoptions, though they may extend timelines and require additional documentation.

If you're a law enforcement officer or work in criminal justice: The bill expands your oversight authorities, including new powers to investigate policing boards, publish public safety information, and enforce restraining orders made outside Ontario. It also strengthens tools to control pill presses and drug precursors, though it adds administrative requirements around designated approvals and directives from the Minister.

Bill 133: Health Care Honours, Employment, Retention, Optimization and Empowerment Strategy Act, 2026

First Reading

What's Happening?

Bill 133 requires the Ontario Minister of Health to develop and publish a comprehensive health care worker support strategy within six months of the bill receiving royal assent. The strategy must address recruitment, attrition, job satisfaction, mental health support, fair wages, workplace safety standards, and recognition initiatives for health care workers. It includes measures to restore collective bargaining rights, ensure retroactive wage payments under previous legislation, and implement novel employment approaches.

Key timelines and measures: - Strategy deadline: 6 months after royal assent - Strategy review: 4 years after royal assent, then every 4 years - Financial penalty for missed deadlines: 10% of the Minister's annual salary plus 10% of the Premier's salary (paid personally within 30 days) - Hospital medical staff appointment terms increased from 1 year to 3 years under the Public Hospitals Act

What This Means for You

If you're a health care worker: You'll benefit from a strategy focused on improving your working conditions, mental health support, fair wages with parity across care settings, and formal recognition through new provincial honours. The bill also mandates public annual surveys on job satisfaction and burnout, and requires workplace standards for temperature, humidity, parking, and safety equipment.

If you're a patient: You may see improved quality of care as the strategy emphasizes safe staffing levels, reduced burnout, and better-trained health care workers. However, implementation timelines and effectiveness will depend on how quickly the strategy is developed and funded.

If you work in hospital administration: You'll need to implement new standards and report on recruitment, attrition, and workplace conditions. Hospital boards will have flexibility to extend medical staff appointments to three years, but must comply with new workplace safety and staffing-level requirements outlined in the strategy.

Bill 134: Diverting Waste from Landfills and Reducing Greenhouse Gases Act, 2026

First Reading

What's Happening?

This bill amends Ontario's waste management law to focus on diverting organic waste from landfills. It requires the Minister to establish a working group within 60 days to review how municipalities separate organic waste and study the best ways to compost it instead. The working group will examine current landfill organic waste levels, greenhouse gas emissions, and successful programs in other regions, then report back in six months with recommendations. The Minister must respond to the Assembly within three months and publish yearly progress reports on organic waste reduction.

Key deadlines and requirements: - Working group established: within 60 days - Working group report: within 6 months - Minister's response to Assembly: within 3 months of receiving report - First annual public report: within 1 year of Minister's response

What This Means for You

If you're a municipality: Your organic waste separation programs will be reviewed by the working group, and you'll be asked to provide data on how much organic waste you're diverting. The new annual reports will track whether your programs are working, and you may need to implement changes based on the Minister's recommendations.

If you're a business or property owner: Commercial, institutional, and industrial properties will need to provide information about their organic waste to the government. New requirements may follow from the report's recommendations, potentially affecting how you manage waste.

If you're concerned about the environment: This bill aims to reduce methane emissions from landfills by composting organic waste instead. Regular public reports will track progress on greenhouse gas reduction and waste diversion targets.

Bill 135: Swahili Heritage Month Act, 2026

First Reading

This bill proclaims July as Swahili Heritage Month in Ontario each year. It celebrates the Swahili language and culture of Ontario's Swahili-speaking communities, aligning with UNESCO's World Swahili Language Day on July 7.

If you're part of Ontario's Swahili-speaking community, this gives official provincial recognition to your language and cultural heritage. For all Ontarians, it's an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the rich contributions of Swahili speakers to the province.

Bill 136: Responsible Flyer Delivery Act, 2026

First Reading

This bill prohibits leaving promotional materials (flyers, brochures, leaflets) in visible locations at private homes. Exceptions allow political offices, election candidates during voting periods, and government agencies to distribute materials. Canada Post employees delivering mail are also exempt.

Homeowners will see fewer unsolicited flyers cluttering their properties. Businesses relying on direct flyer promotion will need alternative marketing methods. Political candidates can still reach voters during elections if no mailbox is present.

Bill 137: Keeping Our Kids Safe Online Act, 2026

First Reading

This bill creates an Online Safety Advisory Committee composed of parents, youths, educators, school board members, and social media experts. The committee will develop recommendations on protecting children online, and the Minister must report these recommendations to the Assembly.

Parents and educators will help shape online safety policies affecting schools. Students will be part of the advisory process determining how digital safety is addressed in their education.

Bill 138: Social Media Age Restriction Plan Act, 2026

First Reading

This bill requires Ontario's Minister of Health to create a plan for restricting social media use for people under 16, including strategies to work with Canada on bans, enforcement policies, and monitoring requirements. The plan must be tabled within one year and implemented according to set timelines.

This affects young people and their families by potentially limiting social media access for under-16s, schools by adding oversight responsibilities, and social media companies operating in Ontario through new age verification and compliance requirements.

Bill 139: Homes You Can Afford in the Communities You Love Act, 2026

First Reading

What's Happening?

Bill 139 amends Ontario's Planning Act to increase housing supply by requiring municipalities to allow more housing types. Official plans must authorize up to four residential units in single-family homes, multi-unit buildings up to four storeys, and in larger municipalities (100,000+ people), midrise buildings of 6–11 storeys on major streets and transit corridors.

The bill also prevents municipalities from using zoning rules to block these housing types. Specifically, they cannot prohibit four or fewer residential units on residential land, impose floor-to-area ratios on buildings with three to six units, restrict heights up to four storeys, require minimum setbacks for buildings with four to six units, or mandate parking for buildings with four or more units.

Key timelines and requirements: - Housing data must be collected annually and published within 90 days of year-end - Pricing data tracked in $50,000 increments - Municipalities with 100,000+ people must develop water and sewage servicing plans for midrise housing - Most housing policies cannot be appealed, except by the Minister

What This Means for You

If you're a homeowner or property developer: You'll have new opportunities to build additional housing on residential land. Single-family homeowners can legally add up to four units (such as basement apartments or laneway homes), and developers can build taller apartment buildings in urban areas. However, you must comply with updated zoning rules and servicing requirements.

If you're a renters or looking to buy: This bill aims to increase the housing supply, which could help moderate housing costs and give you more options. More apartments, townhouses, and multi-unit buildings will be permitted in residential neighbourhoods, potentially making housing more affordable and accessible.

If you're a municipal government: You must update official plans and zoning bylaws to allow these housing types and cannot use restrictive rules to prevent them. Larger municipalities must also ensure adequate water and sewage capacity for new development. Most decisions on these housing policies cannot be appealed by the public, reducing planning delays.

Thank you for reading, and we'll see you next time with more updates from Queen's Park.

This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It uses AI to generate summaries and may contain inaccuracies, so please fact check any information presented here.