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OFIA Focusing On Provincial Government Plans

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The Ontario Forest Industries Association is keeping their eye on the provincial government in the new year.

It wants the provincial government to extend the exemption for the Endangered Species Act.

Ian Dunn works for the OFIA and says they are hoping from the Ministry of Natural Resources will announce something early in the new year.

He also says they’d like to know sooner rather than later so no time is wasted.

Dunn goes on to say that this summer marks the end of the two year exemption of the forest industry from regulars contained in the Endangered Species Act.

He also adds the provincial government says it wants to reduce red tape and they want to keep them at their word.

Dunn believes the draft of the Forest Strategy is a good start.

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Food Security Rules Could Be Changing

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Foods banks, soup kitchens and other food serving programs may soon have fewer rules to follow.

The provincial government is proposing legislation that will exempt them from having to comply with certain food safety requirements.

Todd Smith, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, say the current system is really focused on red tape and bureaucracy.

If passed, organizations would no longer have a set number of hand-washing stations, require a commercial-style dishwasher or need a supervisor on site.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says they want to better serve and address the concerns of faith based organizations, before and after school programs and food rescue and delivery programs.

Elliott says keeping people safe is still a top priority.

(Picture: Christine Elliott)

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Red Tape Reductions Planned For Local Businesses

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Ontario’s Minister of Red Tape Reduction is working to ensure business owners are not drowning in needless paperwork.

Prabmeet Sarkaria says the current system doesn’t make sense.

“Whether it’s employment standards, the toxic reductions act, the planning act, environmental assessments and more. All are being modernized and streamlined to be more effective with less cost and less delay.”

Sarkaria says changes being considered include getting rid of ideas such as the need to tell the government about $50,000 commercial property upgrades, a law dating back to 1991.

“But these days a $50,000 project could be as minor as updating bathrooms, sinks and toilets in an employee washroom. We believe the government shouldn’t be the business of requiring notifications for such small projects.”

Sarkaria says “manufacturers have told us that this kind of time and money wasting requirement is something they don’t face in competing jurisdictions, like the United States.”

He adds the government wants ideas from business owners on ways to simplify old, outdated rules.

In order to gather the information from business owners, the government has set up a new website, which you can find at https://www.ontario.ca/page/cutting-red-tape