While most people are celebrating or relaxing on July 1, a series of new government regulations always takes effect. Here are some of the more significant changes for Ontario residents that took effect at the beginning of this month.
Ministry of Finance
To give drivers more choice and convenience when purchasing auto insurance, Ontario is updating accident benefit coverage through changes under the Insurance Act. The regulatory amendments will allow consumers to choose whether to purchase certain accident benefits beyond core medical, rehabilitation and attendant care coverage. This change gives drivers more flexibility to tailor insurance policies to their needs.
To provide greater financial flexibility for people with low to moderate incomes, Ontario is amending regulations under the Taxation Act to raise the single-payment threshold for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) from $360 to $500. As a result, more recipients will receive their annual OTB as a single lump sum at the start of the benefit year, granting Ontarians quicker access to funds while maintaining the same overall level of provincial support. The OTB is a tax-free payment that helps low- to moderate-income Ontario residents pay for energy costs, sales and property taxes.
Ministry of Health
To make access to health care and treatments easier and more convenient, an amendment to O. Reg. 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act will give Ontario pharmacists more authority to assess and prescribe medications for nine minor ailments in addition to the roster of ailments for which pharmacists are already permitted to treat. Pharmacists and their staff will also soon be able to administer a broader range of publicly funded vaccines to customers.
To help more people receive life-saving colorectal screening services sooner, Ontario is lowering the age eligibility for people to access publicly funded colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45, effective July 1. Now all individuals aged 45 to 74, and those 40 and older at increased risk, have the option to access screening services sooner to detect and treat colorectal cancer.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Changes to the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act include allowing tenants to install air conditioning units in their rental homes, subject to certain conditions.
Ministry of Natural Resources
To make it easier for anglers and hunters to obtain the licences and information they need, Ontario is amending regulations under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to launch a modernized online licensing system and a dedicated mobile app. The updated regulations would give anglers and hunters the option to carry digital proof of their licences on their smartphones, conveniently purchase licences, access important regulatory information online and provide hunters the choice of filing mandatory harvest reports online.
Ministry of Transportation
The government is making life more affordable for Ontarians by cancelling annual fee increases for road tests, driver’s licences and driving instructor licence fees.
