Ford government delivers lump of coal on last day of legislature with Bill 66: Dillon

New legislation affects workers’ rights, environmental protection and childcare rules


TORONTO, Dec. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- “The Ontario government introduced sweeping legislation through Bill 66, also known as the Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2018 which is as misleading in its title as Premier Ford’s assertion that he stands up ‘for the little guy.’” said Patrick Dillon, Business Manager of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO).

“The Bill’s changes will reduce protection for workers and consumers, put our environment at risk and weaken labour standards,” said Dillon. “Premier Ford claims he’s ‘for the people’ but these proposed changes will benefit corporate Ontario instead of hard working Ontarians.”

Among the changes proposed in this Bill are provisions that will:

  • Risk worker safety by allowing unrepresented workers to perform construction work in the public sector including schools, hospitals and municipalities
  • Allow employers to determine overtime conditions for workers
  • Weaken the requirements for employers to post employment standards information

Additionally, Bill 66 contains provisions that will reduce environmental protection for areas such as the Greenbelt; change the Child Care and Early Years Act that will lead to less oversight; and change regulations affecting long term care facilities.

“Among the most egregious aspect of the Bill is the government’s massive intrusion in free collective bargaining,” Dillon pointed out. “The intrusion in free collective bargaining is a sign of a government with a clear autocratic streak. This bill was introduced without consultation with the workers and unions affected by its draconian effect. Needless to say, this government did not advise the people of its union-bashing policies during the election campaign.”

The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario represents 150,000 trades workers throughout the province.

For more information, please contact:

Patrick Dillon, Business Manager      
Cell:                 (416) 347-8245
E-mail:             patrick@ontariobuildingtrades.com